Multifractal analysis of three-dimensional grayscale images: Characterization of natural porous structures

Abstract

A multifractal analysis (MFA) is performed on three-dimensional grayscale images associated with natural porous structures (soil samples). First, computed tomography (CT) scans are carried out on the samples to generate 3D grayscale images. Then, a preliminary analysis is conducted to evaluate key quantities associated with the porosity, such as void fraction, pore volume, connectivity, and surface area. Finally, the samples are successfully identified and separated into two different structure families by using the MFA. A new software (Munari) to carry out the MFA of 3D grayscale images is also presented.