From computed tomography to mechanics of granular materials via level set bridge

Abstract

This paper details the ‘level set bridge’: a single platform for the characterization of various aspects of granular micro-mechanics, including grain morphology, grain kinematics, and inter-granular contact. This platform is studied and verified for accuracy using synthetic examples, in particular, its robustness with respect to the variables of image resolution and noise. The level set bridge is then applied to analysis of XRCT images of real 3D triaxial experiments of two types of granular materials. Contact statistics and kinematics are reported inside and outside of the failure band of one, and kinematics inside a failure band are reported in the other, from preload to critical state.