Quantification of pore volume and degree of saturation in partially saturated sands with different bulk density

Abstract

In the present study, water retention tests on Toyoura sand with high bulk density and low bulk density are conducted. Three-phase microstructures in sand specimens are visualized using an x-ray micro tomography at the different water retention states. Distributions of the degree of saturation in each pore are quantified using a segmentation technique and a Voronoi tessellation technique. The pore-scale distribution of degree of saturation in partially saturated sands with different bulk density and its variation during drying and wetting processes are discussed.