Exploring intra-granular strain in granular systems under mechanical load using scanning 3DXRD

Abstract: This dissertation serves to explain the theory behind three-dimensional scanning x-ray diffraction while at the same time connecting the theory to a software package used for processing data obtained from measurements using scanning x-ray diffraction. This software package is then used and built upon to analyse the data obtained from the measurement of a sample of 12 silica grains subject to an uniaxial load of 60 N. The results reveal the internal strain field heterogeneity in the grains. From these strain fields it will be possible to identify grains that are at risk of fracturing, examine the interaction of grains at the surfaces of intra-granular contacts and in general examine the strain both at the surface of the grains and inside the grains themselves, demonstrating the usefulness of scanning x-ray diffraction to study the fine details of granular mechanics.