Pore structure and drying behavior of argillite material based on synchrotron CT imaging

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.06.001

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2026, Vol. 60

Issue (6): 1139-1147 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.06.001

Pore structure and drying behavior of argillite material based on synchrotron CT imaging

Kui LIU1(

),Timm WEITKAMP2,Quanchang ZHANG3,Jing HU4,*(

)

1. College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
2. Synchrotron Soleil, St Aubin 91160, France
3. Qingdao ZhongKe KunTai Precast Construction Technology Limited Company, Qingdao 266000, China
4. Department of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350025, China

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Abstract

Synchrotron-based X-ray computed tomography was employed to characterize the evolution of pore structure and drying behavior in Toarcian argillite under suction levels of 3.3, 9.0 and 21.8 MPa at submicron resolution in order to evaluate the long-term performance of argillite as a geological barrier material in high-level radioactive waste disposal. Results showed that the porosity of the argillite decreased monotonically with increasing suction. Axial confinement induced significant volumetric shrinkage and heterogeneous pore closure. Unconfined specimens exhibited minimal change in macroscopic porosity, with deformation primarily governed by the development of local macro-fracture, especially near the specimen boundary under low suction. CT imaging revealed a uniform drying pattern throughout the specimen, with consistent radial porosity distribution, and confirmed that the pore system was predominantly composed of submicron-scale pore (CT-detected porosity was only 10%-17% of the total porosity).

Key words： argillite synchrotron CT imaging pore structure drying behavior radioactive waste disposal

Received: 11 October 2025 Published: 06 May 2026

CLC:

TU 411

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（52508391, 52578516）；山东省优秀青年基金资助项目（2025HWYQ-052）；山东省自然科学基金资助项目（ZR2024QE331）.

Corresponding Authors: Jing HU E-mail: kui.liu@sdust.edu.cn;jingh@fzu.edu.cn

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Cite this article:

Kui LIU,Timm WEITKAMP,Quanchang ZHANG,Jing HU. Pore structure and drying behavior of argillite material based on synchrotron CT imaging. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2026, 60(6): 1139-1147.

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https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.06.001 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2026/V60/I6/1139

基于同步辐射CT的黏土岩孔隙结构与干燥行为

为了评估黏土岩作为高放废物地质处置库屏障材料的长期性能，采用同步辐射X射线计算机断层扫描技术，以亚微米分辨率表征Toarcian黏土岩在3.3、9.0与21.8 MPa吸力下的孔隙结构演化与干燥行为. 结果表明，随着吸力的增大，岩样孔隙率呈现单调递减的规律. 轴向约束条件诱导了显著的体积收缩与非均匀孔隙闭合. 非约束试样的宏观孔隙率变化甚微，且变形主要由局部宏观裂缝主导，低吸力下在试样边缘裂缝更发育. CT成像揭示了岩样整体呈现均匀干燥的模式，孔隙率的径向分布一致，证明孔隙系统主要由亚微米尺度孔隙构成（CT可探测到的孔隙率仅为样本实际孔隙率的10%~17%）.

关键词： 黏土岩, 同步辐射CT, 孔隙结构, 干燥行为, 放射性废物处置

Fig.1 Sampling location and preparation

Tab.1 Proportion of mineral component and particle size

Tab.2 Saturated saline solution

Fig.2 Physical property under different suction

Fig.3 Soil water retention curve for Toarcian argillite

Fig.4 ANATOMIX beamline with white-beam mode

Fig.5 Schematic of Paganin filter effect

Fig.6 Example image for TWS

Fig.7 Local scanned specimen at 3.3 MPa suction

Fig.8 Radial distribution of porosity at different suction

Fig.9 Axial distribution of porosity and crack

Fig.10 Pore size distribution at different suction and location


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