ABSTRACT: In this research, a comparison of some physical properties of two natural media was made, namely, a selected soil sample from the northwestern segment of the Skopje valley and a sample of river sediment from the river Vardar. The primary parameters of the samples are determined, such as: granulometric composition, specific mass and volume mass in different compacted condition. The secondary physical characteristics are followed, which are a consequence of the previously listed, which are the porosity of the samples and the capillary characteristics. These, further define the following characteristics of the media: maximum water permeability, characteristics of the water transport process and heat transfer through the examined sample layer. Simultaneously, the changes of temperature and moisture at a defined point of the experimental layers are monitored (under appropriate experimental conditions, namely, an emphasized / amplified ΔT is set) and the phenomena are explained.

 

Keywords: soil, river sediment, porosity, heat transfer, water permeability