In situ X-ray CT imaging of transient water retention experiments with cyclic drainage and imbibition

The water retention curve (WRC) represents a key function in unsaturated soil mechanics as it can be applied for the modeling of hydro-mechanical behaviour soils. macroscopic WRC is characterised by different phenomena, such hysteresis upon cyclic drainage and imbibition. With help modern X-ray computed tomography hydraulic experiments that performed CT scanning environment, so-called situ experiments, we image imbibition sand on pore scale order to quantitatively measure study change microstructure capillary state variables, characterising effects granular measured data then related WRC. To our knowledge, first time very interfacial areas, contact lines angles, could extensively high detail various cycles experiment. Besides experimental procedure, wealth will comprehensively presented discussed finally shared with research community.