X-ray tomographic method for measuring 3D deformation and liquid content in swelling materials

Abstract

A non-invasive method for measuring the three-dimensional displacement field and liquid content distribution in a wetting and swelling material using X-ray tomographic imaging is introduced. The method is demonstrated here in monitoring the evolution of 3D deformation and water content distributions in cylindrical samples of swelling clay material wetted in a constant total volume. The measurements were carried out using a high-resolution microtomographic device (SkyScan 1172) and image voxel size 24 µm. The results obtained are repeatable and appear qualitatively correct and plausible. They are useful e.g. in validating models involving transport of water and the resulting deformation of swelling materials. The method is potentially applicable also in other materials and processes involving liquid transport and deformation.