Question

In areas where the air temperature remains below $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for prolonged periods of time, the freezing of water in underground pipes is a major concern. Fortunately, the soil remains relatively warm during those periods, and it takes weeks for the subfreezing temperatures to reach the water mains in the ground. Thus, the soil effectively serves as an insulation to protect the water from the freezing atmospheric temperatures in winter. The ground at a particular location is covered with snow pack at $-8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for a continuous period of 60 days, and the average soil properties at that location are $k=0.35 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and $\alpha=0.15 \times 80^{-6} \mathrm{~m}^2 / \mathrm{s}$. Assuming an initial uniform temperature of $8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for the ground, determine the minimum burial depth to prevent the water pipes from freezing.

   In areas where the air temperature remains below $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for prolonged periods of time, the freezing of water in underground pipes is a major concern. Fortunately, the soil remains relatively warm during those periods, and it takes weeks for the subfreezing temperatures to reach the water mains in the ground. Thus, the soil effectively serves as an insulation to protect the water from the freezing atmospheric temperatures in winter.

The ground at a particular location is covered with snow pack at $-8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for a continuous period of 60 days, and the average soil properties at that location are $k=0.35 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and $\alpha=0.15 \times 80^{-6} \mathrm{~m}^2 / \mathrm{s}$. Assuming an initial uniform temperature of $8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for the ground, determine the minimum burial depth to prevent the water pipes from freezing.
Show more…
Introduction To Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Introduction To Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Yunus A. Cengel 1st Edition
Chapter 11, Problem 66 ↓

Instant Answer

verified

Step 1

35 W/m·°C - Soil thermal diffusivity: α = 0.15 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s - Initial uniform ground temperature: 8°C - We need to find the minimum burial depth to prevent freezing (i.e., where T = 0°C)  Show more…

Show all steps

lock
AceChat toggle button
Close icon
Ace pointing down

Please give Ace some feedback

Your feedback will help us improve your experience

Thumb up icon Thumb down icon
Thanks for your feedback!
Profile picture
In areas where the air temperature remains below $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for prolonged periods of time, the freezing of water in underground pipes is a major concern. Fortunately, the soil remains relatively warm during those periods, and it takes weeks for the subfreezing temperatures to reach the water mains in the ground. Thus, the soil effectively serves as an insulation to protect the water from the freezing atmospheric temperatures in winter. The ground at a particular location is covered with snow pack at $-8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for a continuous period of 60 days, and the average soil properties at that location are $k=0.35 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and $\alpha=0.15 \times 80^{-6} \mathrm{~m}^2 / \mathrm{s}$. Assuming an initial uniform temperature of $8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ for the ground, determine the minimum burial depth to prevent the water pipes from freezing.
Close icon
Play audio
Feedback
Powered by NumerAI
Need help? Use Ace
Ace is your personal tutor. It breaks down any question with clear steps so you can learn.
Start Using Ace
Ace is your personal tutor for learning
Step-by-step explanations
Instant summaries
Summarize YouTube videos
Understand textbook images or PDFs
Study tools like quizzes and flashcards
Listen to your notes as a podcast
Continue solving this problem
Create a free account to:
  • View full step-by-step solution
  • Ask follow-up questions with Ace AI
  • Save progress and study later
Continue Free
Join the community

18,000,000+

Students on Numerade


Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities

Numerade

Get step-by-step video solution
from top educators

Continue with Clever
or



By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Log In

A free answer
just for you

Watch the video solution with this free unlock.

Numerade

Log in to watch this video
...and 100,000,000 more!


EMAIL

PASSWORD

OR
Continue with Clever