CT Scanning Technology on coal-rock damage: a comprehensive review

CT Scanning Technology has been widely applied in the study of coal-rock damage because of its advantages of non-destructive monitoring, high resolution, and digitization. The purpose of this review is to promote theoretical research on coal-rock damages. Comprehensive literature reviews of CT Scanning Technology were conducted. Then the authors overviewed the development of CT technology and equipment in the field of coal-rock damage and summarized research progress on CT characterization of coal-rock damage. The focus of this review is on the CT characterization of degree on coal-rock damage, the definition of the damage variables based on the CT numbers, and the construction of the constitutive equation of coal-rock damage meeting the engineering practice. Problems and challenges encountered in the study of coal-rock damage using CT technology under current technical conditions were also analyzed. Furthermore, suggestions for further research were discussed. Improving the spatial and temporal resolution of CT images, improving image processing software, developing new image reconstruction algorithms, and developing complex stress loading systems that are compatible with CT systems will play a great role in the development of coal rock damage research.