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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2003; v. 215; p. 61-68;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2003.215.01.06
© 2003 Geological Society of London

Quantitative characterization of fracture apertures using microfocus computed tomography

K. Vandersteen1, B. Busselen1, K. Van Den Abeele2 & J. Carmeliet1

1 Laboratory of Building Physics, Department of Building Engineering, Catholi University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 51, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium jan.carmeliet{at}bwk.kuleuven.ac.be
2 Faculty of Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven at Kortrijk, Sabbelann 53, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium

Microfocus X-ray computed tomography (µCT) was used as a tool to determine the apertures of a fracture in a cylindrical sample of crinoidal limestone. After scanning, artefacts were removed from the images. Phantom objects were used to establish a calibration relationship between real fracture apertures and fracture aperture measurements on the µCT images. The performance of different procedures for quantitative fracture determination was examined. The calibration relationship was then used to determine the fracture apertures in a naturally fractured sample. A comparison of the µCT technique and a microscope technique shows a good agreement between their results.