Digital laboratory: X-ray computed tomography towards direct numerical simulations

Abstract

A digital porous media laboratory comprises a set of techniques to analyse and characterize samples using computer simulations and digital measurements to predict or determine material properties. This thesis has implemented the complete workflow of this technique from sample preparation until reporting the gained information pertaining said sample. A complete design of an in house built X-ray computed tomographic system is described. All components of the system are listed and the way they are electrically and mechanically coupled is explained. Software architecture to control the system and the advantages it has to maintain the system is described at a cost of system complexity. The in-house tomographic system was used to characterize engineering, geologic and biological samples.