The use of high-resolution X-ray CT for 3D analysis on geomaterials

For several years the UGCT group of the Ghent University has been applying micro-CT for the 3D-investigation of geomaterials with X-ray tube radiation (e.g. Skyscan 1072) and synchrotron. Recently this group is equipped with a multi-purpose open type X-ray micro-CT set-up in order to obtain images with a higher signal-to-noise ratio while additionally having more flexibility. The new set-up allows for scanning of small samples at a high spatial resolution (down to 1 μm). Also, larger objects (more than 10 cm) can be scanned at a lower resolution. After reconstruction of the acquired radiograms by the in-house developed software package Octopus, high quality 3D-images can be rendered and analysed. By using our in-house developed post-reconstruction 3D-analysis software, 3D-data of the internal and external features of the scanned samples can be obtained. This technique offers a wide variety of possibilities, especially when the structures need to be visualised and characterised. In this paper, we will discuss our set-up and software tools.