RADIOGRAPHY OF THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING FOR GEO-MATERIALS

Radiography of geo-materials refers to visualize the interior information of natural geomaterials using rays, this information contains both the structural and functional details of the subjected samples. Radiography is a vital method to study compositions, structures, properties and functions, as well as a way to know geological phenomenon, process and dynamic causes. In this paper, techniques and corresponding applicable conditions of surface imaging, 3D interior structural imaging and in-situ structure imaging are studied. Structural and functional imaging of geo-materials are proposed based on the radiography fundamentals, conclusions of which are:(1) The techniques of structural imaging including visible ray imaging, infrared beams imaging, Electron beam imaging can be used image surface information. (2) X-rays, γ-rays and neutron rays can be used to image 3D structure due to their high energy. (3) Researches on static imaging such as particles, minerals, matrix and their spatial distribution tend to be mature and completed. In-situ imaging under temperature, pressure and pore pressure controls are the needed trends. It's an urgent demand to image the functional process of origin, enrichment, accumulation and seepage of geo-materials, but studies of which are still in an early stage.