University of Durham - Equipment Account

Researchers from many areas of science and engineering need to investigate the internal structure of solid materials and artefacts; they might want to determine the proportions of different materials, the locations of voids, the presence of water, see structural fabrics or many other possibilities. Accurate non-destructive investigation of this nature has proved almost impossible until recently. However, with the advent of new X-ray scanning machines, both available at a reasonable cost and relatively easy to use, a new world of investigation is opening up. These machines are very similar to computed tomography (CT) scanners one finds in hospitals. However these machines are constructed to be particularly suitable for scanning of materials such as soils, concrete, rock and some metals.

This proposal seeks funding to set up a new XRCT scanning facility for researchers in civil engineering, bioengineering, manufacturing, geology, archaeology and biological sciences. based at Durham University. The new facility will primarily serve groups working at Durham, Newcastle and Sheffield Universities. However it will be possible for other academics and industry to use the facility as well.

This proposal is for a piece of equipment that will be used by scientists and engineers from a wide range of disciplines. It will therefore have a part to play in the impact of research activities in a similarly wide range of areas. Some examples of impact are as follows:
-Being able to see and measure the 3D microstructures of manufactured materials will help to avoid unexpected material failures which could have economic and societal impact;
-Understanding the way that voids are distributed in a soil sample allows us to determine how strength may change with climate when that soil is part of a natural or man-made slope this could help us to predict landslides induced by rainfall;
-Scanning of rocks can aid understanding of how volcanic activity can develop.
The presence of the equipment will have impact in at least these areas: civil engineering, geology, biomechanics, archaeology and manufacturing.