Abstract Summary
Numerical models and experimental results have not yet reached accurate predictions of how long it takes for bentonite mixtures to hydrate until complete saturation or how the unsaturated hydraulic permeability evolves. Thus, an experimental campaign based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and 3D X-Ray micro computed tomography (µCT) is proposed to capture, image and quantify water infiltration in bentonite/sand blocks. X-Ray radiography analysis enable quantifiable observations of absorption increase associated to an augmentation of water content. Additionally, Single Point Imaging (SPI) MRI’s sequence quantifies the water content along bentonite/sand specimens based on linear correlation with its signal intensity.
