Visualization of Strain Localization and Microstructures in Soils during Deformation Using Microfocus X‐Ray CT

Abstract

In order to clarify the mechanism of failure, it is necessary to visualize the strain localization and microstructure changes in detail. This chapter presents an investigation of strain localization and microstructures in unsaturated sand and clay using a microfocus x-ray CT. The microfocus x-ray CT system has very small focus size and has high voltage and current; hence, it is possible to visualize the microstructures in rather larger specimens with high spatial resolution. In addition, since the triaxial cell can be mounted on the rotation table, x-ray CT scan during triaxial compression tests can be performed. Using the microfocus x-ray CT, visualization of the strain localization and microstructure during compression tests for unsaturated Toyoura sand and Maruyamagawa clay specimens were conducted. A partial CT scan was performed with very high magnification for sand specimens, in order to visualize each sand particle distinguished from others, i.e. the microstructures of sand specimens. Controlled Vocabulary Terms computerised tomography; deformation; sand; stress-strain relations