Abstract
In this review paper the synergistic combination of X-ray microtomography, in situ mechanical tests on material samples and full-field kinematic measurements by 3D-Volume Digital Image Correlation is discussed. First, basic features are outlined, concerning X-ray microtomography by either laboratory sources or synchrotron radiation. The main equations for 3D-Volume Digital Image Correlation are then presented, and different provisions regularizing the ill-posed problem of motion estimation are outlined. Thereafter, a survey of the state of the art is provided, with reference to a variety of biological and engineering materials. Limitations and perspectives of the proposed methodology in diverse applications are highlighted. The rapid growth of this research topic is emphasized, due to the truly multi-disciplinary vocation, the synergy between algorithmic and technological solutions, a fusion of experiments and numerical methods.