Evaluation of Tortuosity in Cemented Sand Using X-Ray Computed Microtomography

Abstract

Cemented sand is a common way for soil stabilization or ground improvement. Tortuosity is an important parameter that has a significant impact on flow and transport characteristics of porous media and related to permeability and diffusion coefficient. This study aims to quantitatively investigate the tortuosity of the cemented sand with different cement content using X-ray computed tomography (CT) based random walk simulation. The cemented samples were scanned using microCT and converted to 3D pore space through image processing. Random walk simulation was applied to the reconstructed 3D pore space to calculate the tortuosity. Higher cement content gave an increase in tortuosity and a decrease in porosity. This indicates that the addition of cement makes pore space more tortuous and decreases both permeability and diffusion coefficient which are being treated as important parameters for durability of construction materials.

Full document