Abstract:
Non-destructive testing methods are widely employed to analyze complexly
structured materials and constructions, with X-ray computed tomography (CT) standing
out due to its ability to generate a digital twin of the specimen as a three-dimensional
model. This approach facilitates the detection of manufacturing defects and deviations
from design specifications. However, during operation, certain defects in heterogeneous
materials may develop, and evaluating the risk areas for such defects using CT alone is
challenging without external intervention. To overcome this limitation, a specialized
device is being developed that enables mechanical testing to be performed directly inside
the CT chamber. The objective of this study is to develop and describe a device that
ensures reproducible application of load to the specimens during CT scanning. In this
research, a loading system is proposed that allows for consistent uniaxial compression
tests within the CT environment. Furthermore, a novel method for tracking optical density
throughout the specimen is introduced and validated to assess segmentation accuracy.
Experimental results demonstrated that the force discrepancy between the developed
device and a universal testing machine did not exceed 2%, while the differences in the
measured values obtained by the device versus the universal testing machine remained
within 3%. Additionally, to verify the optical density tracking method, data from
previously published studies were employed, showing that the median segmentation error
did not exceed 5%. In conclusion, the proposed device facilitates simultaneous mechanical
testing and CT scanning, thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical
properties of the samples. The study also discusses potential improvements in both the
device design and its software to further expand its functionality, ultimately paving the
way for more integrated and precise evaluations of structural materials in various
applications
