Three-dimensional analysis of a compression test on stone wool

A full three-dimensional (3D) study of a compression test on a sample made of stone wool is presented. The analysis combines different tools, namely X-ray microtomography of an in situ experiment, image acquisition and treatment, and volume correlation. This set of tools allows for the measurement of 3D displacement fields and enables Poisson's ratio of this type of material to be evaluated. The strain fields are used to analyze localization phenomena. The uncertainty of the analysis is evaluated by actually moving the sample in its Undeformed and deformed states, qualifying both image acquisition and correlation steps. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.