The purpose of the inverse-transport problems that we address is to reconstruct the material distribution inside an unknown object undergoing a nondestructive evaluation. We assume that the object is subjected to incident beams of photons or particles and that the exiting radiation is measured with detectors around the periphery of the object. In the present work we focus on problems in which radiation can undergo significant scattering within the optically thick object. We develop a set of reconstruction strategies to infer the material distribution inside such objects. When we apply these strategies to a set of neutron-tomography test problems we find that the results are substantially superior to those obtained by previous methods. We first demonstrate that traditional analytic methods such as filtered back projection (FBP) methods do not work for very thick, highly scattering problems. Then we explore deterministic optimization processes, using the nonlinear conjugate gradient iterative updating scheme to minimize an objective functional that characterizes the misfits between forward predicted measurements and actual detector readings. We find that while these methods provide more information than the analytic methods such as FBP, they do not provide sufficiently accurate solutions of problems in which the radiation undergoes significant scattering. We proceed to present some advances in inverse transport methods. Our strategies offer several advantages over previous reconstruction methods. First, our optimization procedure involves the systematic use of both deterministic and stochastic methods, using the strengths of each to mitigate the weaknesses of the other. Another key feature is that we treat the material (a discrete quantity) as the unknown, as opposed to individual cross sections (continuous variables). This changes the mathematical nature of the problem and greatly reduces the dimension of the search space. In our hierarchical approach we begin by learning some characteristics of the object from relatively inexpensive calculations, and then use knowledge from such calculations to guide more sophisticated calculations. A key feature of our strategy is dimension-reduction schemes that we have designed to take advantage of known and postulated constraints. We illustrate our approach using some neutron-tomography model problems that are several mean-free paths thick and contain highly scattering materials. In these problems we impose reasonable constraints, similar to those that in practice would come from prior information or engineering judgment. Our results, which identify exactly the correct materials and provide very accurate estimates of their locations and masses, are substantially better than those of deterministic minimization methods and dramatically more efficient than those of typical stochastic methods.

This thesis describes the measurement technique of fast-neutron tomography for assessing spatial distributions of steam and water in two-phase flows. This so-called void distribution is of importance both for safe operation and for efficient use of the fuel in light water reactors, which compose the majority of the world’s commercial nuclear reactors. The technique is aimed for usage at thermal-hydraulic test loops, where heated two-phase flows are being investigated under reactor-relevant conditions. By deploying portable neutron generators in transmission tomography, the technique becomes applicable to stationary objects, such as thermal-hydraulic test loops. Fast neutrons have the advantage of high transmission through metallic structures while simultaneously being relatively sensitive to the water/void content. However, there are also challenges, such as the relatively low yield of commercially available fast-neutron generators, the tendency of fast neutrons to scatter in the interactions with materials and the relatively low efficiency encountered in fast-neutron detection. The thesis describes the design of a prototype instrument, FANTOM, which has been assembled and demonstrated. The main design parameters have been optimized to achieve maximal signal count rate in the detector elements, while simultaneously reaching an image unsharpness of ≤0.5 mm. Radiographic projections recorded with the assembled instrument are presented, and the performance parameters of FANTOM are deduced. Furthermore, tomographic reconstruction methods for axially symmetric objects, which is relevant for some test loops, have been developed and demonstrated on measured data from three test objects. The attenuation distribution was reconstructed with a radial resolution of 0.5 mm and an RMS error of 0.02 cm-1, based on data recorded using an effective measurement time of 3.5 hours per object. For a thermal-hydraulic test loop, this can give a useful indication of the flow mode, but further development is desired to improve the precision of the measurements. Instrument upgrades are foreseen by introducing a more powerful neutron generator and by adding detector elements, speeding up the data collection by several orders of magnitude and allowing for higher precision data. The requirements and performance of an instrument for assessment of arbitrary non-symmetric test loops is discussed, based on simulations.

Na presente dissertação, foi desenvolvido um equipamento para tomografia com nêutrons que está operacional e instalado no canal de irradiação 14 do Reator Nuclear de Pesquisas IEA-R1 do IPEN-CNEN/SP. As imagens apresentadas neste trabalho, são de objetos que foram selecionados de modo a realçarem uma das principais aplicações da técnica, que é o estudo de materiais hidrogenados mesmo se envoltos por espessa camada de alguns metais. Neste equipamento, uma tomografia completa pode ser obtida em 400 s, com uma resolução espacial máxima de 205 μm. Estas características são comparáveis às dos equipamentos mais desenvolvidos em operação em outros países, e propiciam imagens com qualidade suficiente para que sejam realizadas análises tanto qualitativas quanto quantitativas dos objetos inspecionados. A implementação da técnica da tomografia com nêutrons abre a possibilidade de novas linhas de pesquisa, pois disponibiliza uma nova ferramenta para inspeção de objetos, que fornece uma visão da sua estrutura interna, que nem sempre é possível por métodos de imageamento bidimensional. / In the work reported in this dissertation, a facility for neutron tomography was developed and installed at the irradiation channel #14 of the IEA-R1 nuclear research reactor of IPEN-CNEN/SP. Several selected objects were inspected, and the obtained images demonstrate the main characteristic of the present technique that is its capability to visualize hydrogenous rich substances. In such facility, a tomography can be obtained in 400 s with a spatial resolution of 205 μm, and the obtained images have sufficient quality to allow qualitative and quantitative analysis. These characteristics are very similar to the ones of the top facilities around the world, and the quality of the provided images are sufficient to allow qualitative and quantitative analysis of the inspected object. The implementation of the neutron tomography technique opens up the possibility of new research as it provides a new tool for inspection of objects, which provides a view of its internal structure, which is not always possible for two-dimensional imaging methods.

Na presente dissertação, foi desenvolvido um equipamento para tomografia com nêutrons que está operacional e instalado no canal de irradiação 14 do Reator Nuclear de Pesquisas IEA-R1 do IPEN-CNEN/SP. As imagens apresentadas neste trabalho, são de objetos que foram selecionados de modo a realçarem uma das principais aplicações da técnica, que é o estudo de materiais hidrogenados mesmo se envoltos por espessa camada de alguns metais. Neste equipamento, uma tomografia completa pode ser obtida em 400 s, com uma resolução espacial máxima de 205 μm. Estas características são comparáveis às dos equipamentos mais desenvolvidos em operação em outros países, e propiciam imagens com qualidade suficiente para que sejam realizadas análises tanto qualitativas quanto quantitativas dos objetos inspecionados. A implementação da técnica da tomografia com nêutrons abre a possibilidade de novas linhas de pesquisa, pois disponibiliza uma nova ferramenta para inspeção de objetos, que fornece uma visão da sua estrutura interna, que nem sempre é possível por métodos de imageamento bidimensional. / In the work reported in this dissertation, a facility for neutron tomography was developed and installed at the irradiation channel #14 of the IEA-R1 nuclear research reactor of IPEN-CNEN/SP. Several selected objects were inspected, and the obtained images demonstrate the main characteristic of the present technique that is its capability to visualize hydrogenous rich substances. In such facility, a tomography can be obtained in 400 s with a spatial resolution of 205 μm, and the obtained images have sufficient quality to allow qualitative and quantitative analysis. These characteristics are very similar to the ones of the top facilities around the world, and the quality of the provided images are sufficient to allow qualitative and quantitative analysis of the inspected object. The implementation of the neutron tomography technique opens up the possibility of new research as it provides a new tool for inspection of objects, which provides a view of its internal structure, which is not always possible for two-dimensional imaging methods.

Le béton est un matériau très utilisé dans l'industrie de construction. Une limite essentielle à un usage de ce matériau est sa dégradation par écaillage lorsqu’il est exposé au feu. Le phénomène d'écaillage consiste en une éjection du béton sous forme d'écailles à la surface du béton exposée à l'incendie. La section de béton s'en trouve progressivement réduite. De plus, ce phénomène expose les armatures et peut conduire à une rupture prématurée de structures telles que les tunnels, les gratte-ciels, les centrales nucléaires etc. De nombreuses recherches ont été consacrées à la mise au point de méthodes de prévention de l'écaillage et à la détermination des paramètres qui ont une influence sur ce phénomène. Cependant, la physique qui contrôle l'écaillage n'est pas encore entièrement comprise. L'objectif principal de la thèse est de fournir une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes impliqués dans l’écaillage du béton en utilisant une approche numérique-expérimentale, i.e., la tomographie neutronique couplée à la modélisation numérique avancée à une échelle adéquate.Dans ce travail, les premières mesures 3D de la teneur en eau du béton (grandeur locale indispensable au suivi du processus de déshydratation potentiellement responsable de l’écaillage) soumis à un chargement thermique sévère ont été réalisées à l'aide de tomographies neutroniques rapides. Le suivi de la déshydratation rapide du béton a été possible en réalisant un scan 3D toutes les minutes grâce à la source neutrons de l'Institut Laue Langevin (leader mondial), à Grenoble, France. Cette vitesse d'acquisition est dix fois plus rapide que toute autre étude tomographique rapportée dans la littérature. Un dispositif, adapté à l'imagerie neutronique et aux essais à haute température, a été développé pour réaliser de telles expériences. L'influence de la taille des agrégats sur la distribution de l'humidité au sein de l'échantillon est présentée. Les résultats quantitatifs sur l'accumulation d'humidité derrière le front de déshydratation, connue sous le nom de 'moisture-clog" et considérée comme un des facteurs principaux engendrant un excès de pression, sont également présentés et discutésEn parallèle, un modèle thermo-hydro-mécanique (THM) entièrement couplé a été mis en œuvre sur le logiciel élément fini Cast3M afin d'étudier et prédire le comportement du béton à haute température. Le code nouvellement implémenté est remarquablement plus rapide (20-30 fois) que le code existant sur lequel il est basé. Une approche mésoscopique a été adaptée au modèle pour prendre en compte l'hétérogénéité du béton. D'abord, le modèle est appliqué à des expériences de la littérature, qui étu-dient les paramètres standards tels que la température, la pression du gaz et la perte de masse. En-suite, des profils d'humidité 1D obtenus à partir d'expériences de radiographie neutronique sont utili-sés pour vérifier et améliorer le modèle en termes de lois de comportement critiques telles que les courbes de déshydratation et de rétention d'eau. Enfin, le modèle est utilisé pour prédire la distribution d'humidité 3D mesurée dans ce travail de doctorat par tomographie neutronique. Entre autres, des simulations THM mésoscopiques sont effectuées pour étudier l'influence d'un agrégat sur le front de séchage. / Concrete has been extensively used in the construction industry as a building material. A major drawback of this material is its instability at high temperature, expressed in the form of violent or non-violent detachment of layers or pieces of concrete from the surface of a structural element. This phenomenon, known as fire spalling, can lead to the failure of concrete structures such as tunnels, high rise buildings, nuclear power-plants, underground parkings etc. because the reinforcement steel is directly exposed to high temperature and the designed cross section of the concrete elements (e.g., columns, beams, slabs) is reduced. A lot of research has been dedicated on developing preventing methods for spalling and also on determining the parameters that have an influence on it. However, the physics behind this phenomenon is not yet fully understood.In this doctoral, the first 3D measurements of moisture content in heated concrete, which is believed to be one of the processes directly related to spalling, have been performed using in-situ neutron tomography. In order to follow the fast dehydration process of concrete, one 3D scan (containing 500 radiographs) per minute was captured thanks to the world leading flux at the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble France. This acquisition speed, which is ten times faster than any other experiment reported in the literature, was sufficient to follow the dehydration process. A dedicated setup, adapted to neutron imaging and high temperature, has been developed for performing such kind of experiments. Concrete samples with different aggregate size have been tested. Quantitative analysis showing the effect of the aggregate size on the moisture distribution is presented. Results on the moisture accumulation behind the drying front, known as the moisture-clog, are also presented and discussed.In parallel, a numerically-efficient coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) model has been implemented in the finite element software Cast3M for understanding and predicting the complex behavior of concrete at high temperature in the context of spalling. The newly implemented code is remarkably faster (20-30 times) than an existing one, on which it is based. A mesoscopic approach has been adapted to the model for taking into account the heterogeneity of concrete. First the model is applied to experiments from literature monitoring standard parameters such as temperature, gas pressure and mass loss. Then, 1D moisture profiles obtained from neutron radiography experiments are used for verifying and improving the model in terms of some critical constitutive laws such as dehydration and water retention curves. Finally, the model is employed for predicting the 3D moisture distribution measured in this doctoral work via neutron tomography. Among others, mesoscopic THM simulations are performed for investigating the influence of an aggregate on the drying front.

Pavement system plays an indispensable role in the socio-economic and sustainable development of every modern society. Yet, pavement construction and maintenance is also responsible for a significant fraction of the GHG emissions from the whole transport sector. At the same time, the extensive global pavement network entails continual investment in maintenance and rehabilitation activities. Given the evidence from previous studies, pavement maintenance has a great potential in reducing pavement-induced GHG emissions and fuel consumption. To assist the transition towards a future sustainable road infrastructure, this thesis has marked the theoretical basis of sustainable pavement maintenance management. Two approaches are discussed to offer a multi-dimensional view for future sustainability improvement in pavement maintenance practices. With the still-evolving concept of sustainability in road infrastructure, it is necessary to recognize where we are and what we need to do to develop a comprehensive management framework with the opportunities and challenges. Based on a systematic literature review, this project identifies the current stage of sustainable road infrastructure management and guides to sustainability-oriented maintenance optimization for designing top-down strategies. Meanwhile, it is not enough to only optimize the decision-making process; more bottom-up knowledge of pavement materials is required to inform better maintenance design. This thesis has focused on the self-healing property of asphalt material due to the non-negligible sustainability indications it implies. By applying neutron tomography and image processing technique, the microstructural changes during the self-healing process are analyzed with its 7-hour time-series volumetric data. The experiment has shown that different filler content has a great influence on self-healing efficiency in asphalt mastics. The results will give us the possibility to optimize asphalt self-repair, shedding a light on a new generation of sustainable asphalt pavement. The two approaches presented in this thesis offer valuable insights into sustainable road infrastructure optimization from different aspects. / I varje modernt samhälle spelar vägarna en viktig roll för socioekonomisk och hållbar utveckling. Vägnätet, med byggande och underhåll, bidrar också med en betydande del av växthusgasutsläppen från hela transportsektorn. Vägnätet kräver kontinuerliga investeringar på grund av behovet av underhåll . Tidigare studier har visat att det finns en stor potential för minskning av utsläppen av växthusgaser från vägunderhåll. Vägarnas kvalitet spelar också roll för trafikens bränsleförbrukning.  Fokus för denna avhandling är att underlätta för framtida hållbar väginfrastruktur. När det gäller den teoretiska grunden för hållbar förvaltning av vägar och underhåll av vägbeläggningar är det nödvändigt att förstå vad som är dagens aktuella teknik, och också att veta vad vi behöver utveckla för att få ett heltäckande ledningsramverk för vägunderhåll. Här finns både möjligheter och utmaningar. Baserat på en systematisk litteraturgenomgång identifierar detta projekt det aktuella läget när det gäller praktik för förvaltning av väginfrastruktur. Som ett resultat av detta presenteras olika metoder som tillämpas för en målorienterad underhållsoptimering, som måste göras top-down från den som har övergripande ansvar för vägnätet. Samtidigt räcker det inte att bara optimera beslutsprocessen, det krävs mer bottom-up kunskap i fråga om beläggningsmaterial för att förbättra metoderna för underhåll. Denna avhandling har därför också fokuserat på den självläkande egenskapen hos asfaltmaterial. Här fanns en unik möjlighet att tillämpa neutrontomografi och bildbehandlingsteknik för analyser av de mikrostrukturella förändringarna under självläkningsprocessen i asfaltmaterial, med 7-timmars tidsserievolymetriska data. Experimentet har visat att olika innehåll av fyllmedel i asfaltmastixen  har stor inverkan på självläkandets effektivitet. De två tillvägagångssätten som presenteras i denna avhandling ger värdefulla insikter om hållbar väginfrastrukturoptimering ur olika aspekter. / <p>QC 220309</p>