Development of a new loading test apparatus for microfocus X-ray CT and its application to the investigation of soil behavior surrounding driven open-section piles

In recent years, X-ray CT scanners with task-specific modifications, such as microfocus and/or a synchrotron, have been widely implemented in a variety of fields, including medical and industrial fields. Since microfocus X-ray CT systems enable the visualization of whole samples, and also yield a relatively high resolution of the region of interest in the sample, they are commonly utilized in the fields of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. This paper describes a novel loading test apparatus that is specifically designed for microfocus X-ray CT systems capable of performing loading tests to investigate soil behavior during the installation of driven open-section piles. The loading tests were designed to take the micro-level spatial resolution of microfocus X-ray CT systems into account. Digital image correlation (DIC) is subsequently implemented to analyze the obtained CT images, making it possible for measurements to be taken of the displacement fields in the ground following installation of the model pile. Finally, the versatility of this novel test apparatus is proof of its high potential for application in different types of loading tests.