Pore Characterisation in Monodisperse Granular Assemblies

The micro-scale geometric arrangement of pores was quantitatively characterised for monodisperse granular assemblies, particularly in relation to pore volume distribution and pore orientation characteristics. Using physical experiments and numerical simulations, the pore volume distribution was uniquely described by the analytical k-gamma distribution function [1-2]. A pore orientation tensor was defined to determine the preferred orientation of individual pores. This was subsequently used to define a global orientation tensor that revealed an isotropic pore network for the monodisperse granular assemblies considered in this study. The global orientation tensor was analytically linked to the parameters defining the pore volume distribution.