Measurement of complex dielectric constant of sand and dust particles as a function of moisture content

Abstract

Experimental Investigations were carried out to measure the complex dielectric constant of dry and moist soil samples (sand, silt & clay) at 10.45 GHz in bulk concentration. The complex dielectric constant is found to depend heavily on moisture content. Finer dust particles (clay) show higher dielectric constant than coarser ones (sand & silt) in dry sample. The effective increase in complex dielectric constant with same moisture content in sandy samples is greater than clayey and silty sample. Two distinct regions are clearly observed in the variation of the complex dielectric constant with moisture. © 1993 IEEE.