In situ compressive damage of cement paste characterized by lab source X-ray computer tomography

This paper aims at illustrating the potential of lab source X-ray CT for studying the damage behavior of cement based materials through in situ load experiments. This approach permits quantifying the microstructure prior and during loading. The load damage is separated from the specimen deformation using an image interpolation method. A quantitative relationship between external load and internal specimen damage is analyzed using the statistical information of gray scale values of the CT data. Local damage degrees are defined on 3D subset, and the 3D spatial distribution of damage information is clarified in this research. •On line damage is characterized by lab source X-ray CT.•Loading damage is separated with the specimen deformation.•Local damage is analyzed using gray scale values of the CT data.•3D spatial distribution of the local damage information is clarified.