Quantifying internal macroporosity using CT scanning

B. Robbins, J. Nichols, R. L. Mokwa, B. Kuhn, M. M. MacLaughlin, N. Hudyma

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning) was used to determine the vesicular porosity, average vesicle size, and average vesicle perimeter of fourteen specimens taken from five boulders. Band Pass Filtering was determined to be the best image processing technique to determine vesicular porosity. Porosity values determined using density values were 1.2 to 2.0 times greater than those determined using CT scanning. Porosity values and average vesicle size were very consistent between boulders but vesicle perimeter varied between specimens from the same boulder. The difference is attributed to the shape of the vesicles. Unconfined compressive strength of the specimens was also determined and plotted as a function of porosity as determined using Band Pass Filtering. One anomalous result was attributed to a difference in vesicle shape. CT scanning is an appropriate technique for measuring porosity and vesicle characteristics in a repeatable, non-destructive fashion. Additional work is being conducted for determining vesicle shape parameters to further develop a predicative relationship between strength and porosity.

Original languageEnglish
StatePublished - 2011
Event45th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: 26 Jun 201129 Jun 2011

Conference

Conference45th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period26/06/1129/06/11

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