Daniel Vavřík

Evaluation of strain field in microstructures using micro-CT and digital volume correlation

X-ray digital micro-tomography was employed for precise strain measurement which is essential for evaluation of the experiments with small samples of trabecular bone. X-ray Digital Volumetric Correlation (DVC) method was used to identify the three-dimensional strain field in loaded complex microstructure. DVC relies on tracking selected sample points within the three-dimensional image data throughout the sequence of captured projections. In this study an improved DVC method is applied for evaluation of the strain field in trabecular bone sample subjected to compressive loading. The deformed sample was tomographically scanned using micro-focus X-ray tube and the single-photon counting silicon pixel detector Medipix2.

X-ray and finite element analysis of deformation response of closed-cell metal foam subjected to compressive loading

Time-lapse X-ray computed microtomography was employed to quantify the deformation behaviour of closed-cell aluminium foam. The specimen was incrementally loaded and tomographically scanned using a custom X-ray tomographic device to capture the deforming microstructure. Because of the very small thickness of the cell walls and the high ratio between pore size and cell wall thickness cone-beam reconstruction procedure was applied. A finite element (FE) model was developed based on the reconstructed three-dimensional data. The FE model was used for two purposes: i) the nodal points were used for tracking the displacements of the deforming structure, ii) verification of the material model for description of the foams deformational behaviour. Digital volumetric correlation (DVC) algorithm was used on data obtained from the time-lapse tomography to provide a detailed description of the evolution of deformation in the complex structure of aluminium foam. The results from DVC demonstrate the possibility to use the complex microstructure of the aluminium foam as a random pattern for the correlation algorithm. The underlying FE model enables easy comparison between experimental results and results obtained from numerical simulations used for evaluation of proposed constitutive models.

Utilization of dual-source X-ray tomography for reduction of scanning time of wooden samples

We present a novel dual-source/dual energy (DSCT/DECT) micro-tomography system including results of high-resolution DSCT reconstruction. The DSCT micro-tomography setup was designed as a multi-purpose X-ray imaging device equipped with two pairs of X-ray tubes and detectors in orthogonal arrangement with independent control of beam parameters. Both pairs (tube-detector) are mounted on a computer numerical control positioning system and can be independently set up to different geometries (e.g. with different magnification of each pair). In this work the simultaneous scanning of the object by two tube-detector pairs was used for approximately half reduction of tomography scanning time. The developed imaging procedure was applied for scanning of a wooden sample locally damaged during a semi-destructive test for assessment of wood quality. Prior to the tomography measurements the setup geometry was precisely adjusted in terms of magnification, horizontal and vertical tube-specimen-detector alignment of both pairs. DSCT measurements were carried out in sequence (2 × 90° for each tube) with identical 100μm image resolution. It was proven that the presented experimental setup combined with appropriate control technique significantly reduces tomography scanning time of materials with complex micro-structure.

Dual-energy X-ray micro-CT imaging of hybrid Ni/Al open-cell foam

In this paper, we employ dual-energy X-ray microfocus tomography (DECT) measurement to develop high-resolution finite element (FE) models that can be used for the numerical assessment of the deformation behaviour of hybrid Ni/Al foam subjected to both quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading. Cubic samples of hybrid Ni/Al open-cell foam with an edge length of [15]mm were investigated by the DECT measurement. The material was prepared using AlSi7Mg0.3 aluminium foam with a mean pore size of [0.85]mm, coated with nanocrystalline nickel (crystallite size of approx. [50]nm) to form a surface layer with a theoretical thickness of [0.075]mm. CT imaging was carried out using state-of-the-art DSCT/DECT X-ray scanner developed at Centre of Excellence Telc. The device consists of a modular orthogonal assembly of two tube-detector imaging pairs, with an independent geometry setting and shared rotational stage mounted on a complex 16-axis CNC positioning system to enable unprecedented measurement variability for highly-detailed tomographical measurements. A sample of the metal foam was simultaneously irradiated using an XWT-240-SE reflection type X-ray tube and an XWT-160-TCHR transmission type X-ray tube. An enhanced dual-source sampling strategy was used for data acquisition. X-ray images were taken using XRD1622 large area GOS scintillator flat panel detectors with an active area of [410 × 410]mm and resolution [2048 × 2048]pixels. Tomographic scanning was performed in 1,200 projections with a 0.3 degree angular step to improve the accuracy of the generated models due to the very complex microstructure and high attenuation of the investigated material. Reconstructed data was processed using a dual-energy algorithm, and was used for the development of a 3D model and voxel model of the foam. The selected parameters of the models were compared with nominal parameters of the actual foam and showed good correlation.

High resolution micro-CT of low attenuating organic materials using large area photon-counting detector

To overcome certain limitations of contemporary materials used for bone tissue engineering, such as inflammatory response after implantation, a whole new class of materials based on polysaccharide compounds is being developed. Here, nanoparticulate bioactive glass reinforced gelan-gum (GG-BAG) has recently been proposed for the production of bone scaffolds. This material offers promising biocompatibility properties, including bioactivity and biodegradability, with the possibility of producing scaffolds with directly controlled microgeometry. However, to utilize such a scaffold with application-optimized properties, large sets of complex numerical simulations using the real microgeometry of the material have to be carried out during the development process. Because the GG-BAG is a material with intrinsically very low attenuation to X-rays, its radiographical imaging, including tomographical scanning and reconstructions, with resolution required by numerical simulations might be a very challenging task. In this paper, we present a study on X-ray imaging of GG-BAG samples. High-resolution volumetric images of investigated specimens were generated on the basis of micro-CT measurements using a large area flat-panel detector and a large area photon-counting detector. The photon-counting detector was composed of a 010× 1 matrix of Timepix edgeless silicon pixelated detectors with tiling based on overlaying rows (i.e. assembled so that no gap is present between individual rows of detectors). We compare the results from both detectors with the scanning electron microscopy on selected slices in transversal plane. It has been shown that the photon counting detector can provide approx. 3× better resolution of the details in low-attenuating materials than the integrating flat panel detectors. We demonstrate that employment of a large area photon counting detector is a good choice for imaging of low attenuating materials with the resolution sufficient for numerical simulations.

Correction of the X-ray tube spot movement as a tool for improvement of the micro-tomography quality

Nowadays X-ray tubes in conjunction with digital pixelated imagers are standardly utilized for high resolution radiography with several micrometre or even sub-micrometre resolution. Achievement of the same resolution in X-ray computed tomography is a more demanding task due to the time-dependent tube electron beam drift as well as thermal deformations of the tube. In our work, the beam drift caused by the long-term stabilization of the tube electron optics was measured by observation of radiographs of 75 μm big tin ball rigidly mounted onto the tube head. The tube spot movement comprising both the beam drift and the movement caused by thermal deformations of the tube and its fixture was evaluated measuring the virtual movement of the inspected object. For this purpose, radiographs were recorded periodically at the same object position. Both the beam drift as well as spot movement were evaluated with subpixel resolution using digital image correlation tools. It was proven that the quality of a tomographic reconstruction can be significantly improved by the correction of the spot movement.

Novel Device for 4-Point Flexural Testing of Quasi-Brittle Materials During 4D Computed Tomography

This paper deals with development and validation of a novel device for investigation of the crack behavior in quasi-brittle materials using radiographically observed flexural testing. Instead of standard horizontal arrangement of three-point bending devices, a novel approach consisting in a vertically oriented four-point bending setup is proposed. In the paper, technical description of the proposed device together with its advantages over existing methods and results of validation experiments with natural rocks are presented. The validation experiments were concentrated on the ability of the device to capture the fracture behavior of the samples using X-ray transmission radiography and 4D X-ray micro-tomography. Particular attention was paid to evaluate the ability to perform tomographic scans during post-peak softening, i.e. on intermittent loading of samples after formation of the crack. The acquired results showed very good performance in terms of both the mechanical characteristics of the device (stiffness and loading precision) and the X-ray imaging properties.

3D Digitization of Selected Collection Items Using Photometric Stereo

Digitization of exhibits and the creation of virtual exhibitions is undergoing a period of stormy development and is a dynamic area of care for museum collections. The availability of digital models has a major share in the growing trend of on-line access to collections. At the same time, digitization can improve the protection of items and increase their availability for the public as well as for professionals. It can be performed using procedures based on different physical principles and their technical implementation, with different requirements for the captured objects and different quality levels of the achieved outputs. This paper introduces a technique of 3D digitization based on the principle of photometric stereo. First, it describes typical objects, followed by the physical fundamentals of the method and the selected technical solution. A section on the examples of results introduces the application of this method for creating digital models of various objects and, finally, the conclusion contains contemplations on further development of this method in the future.

Laboratory based study of dynamical processes by 4D X-ray CT with sub-second temporal resolution

There are numerous applications for which is advantageous to obtain X-ray transmission data necessary for 3D computed tomography (CT) within seconds or faster. The required high frame rates for data acquisition became available during the last decade due to intensive synchrotron radiation sources together with appropriate X-ray imaging detectors. It will be shown in this work that sub-second recording of the full CT data set can be reached even in laboratory conditions employing high power microfocus tubes together with a semiconductor pixelated detector. As an example, bubbles nucleation and evolution during dissolving of a pill in the water, releasing carbon dioxide will be shown in 3D with 2 Hz time resolution.

Experimental Measurement of Elastic-Plastic Fracture Parameters Using Digital Image Correlation Method

This paper presents a complex experimental measurement of elastic-plastic fracture parameters such as J-integral, CTOD and J-resistance curve for ductile materials with single specimen test employing the Digital Image Correlation method. Main advantage of the approach is that it allows evaluation of the parameters directly from its definitions in contrast to current standardized measurements defined mostly by ASTM where the parameters are evaluated indirectly. Moreover, the method provides other useful information such as the extent and shape of a plastic zone in the vicinity of a crack tip. The presented method is employed in the case of thin-sheet aluminium alloy. Different approaches to determine a critical value of J-integral from experimental results; i.e., to determine the fracture toughness of the material are presented.