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Updated: May 13, 2026

Neutron Radiography and Computed Tomography of Biological Systems at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor
Published on: May 7, 2021
Time resolved analysis of water drainage in porous asphalt concrete using neutron radiography
L D Poulikakos1, M Sedighi Gilani, D Derome
1Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Road Engineering/Sealing Components. Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland. lily.poulikakos@empa.ch
Abstract:
Porous asphalt as a road surface layer controls aquaplaning as rain water can drain through its highly porous structure. The process of water drainage through this permeable layer is studied using neutron radiography. Time-resolved water configuration and distribution within the porous structure are reported. It is shown that radiography depicts the process of liquid water transport within the complex geometry of porous asphalt, capturing water films, filled dead end pores and water islands.
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