During the last few decades, a number of advanced experimental techniques have provided an unprecedented insight into the behaviour of geomaterials. A notable example are the so-called full-field techniques such as x-ray and neutron imaging, which allow the non destructive characterisation of the 4D (3D+time) response of geomaterials undergoing hydro–chemo–thermo-mechanical loading. While x-ray tomography has over the last decade become a pillar in the domain, neutron imaging remains a relatively less known tool. The unique properties of a neutron beam, such as high sensitivity to hydrogen (e.g., water, hydrocarbons), high penetration into metals (allowing the imposition of extreme boundary conditions), and isotope sensitivity (e.g., ${\text{D}}_{\text{2}}$O/${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}$O), make neutron imaging an extremely interesting tool for experimental geomechanics.

This paper reviews the contribution of neutron imaging to geomechanics. A particular focus is given to the potential of some very recent developments, such as the combination with simultaneous x-rays and substantial improvements in spatial and temporal resolution.

在过去的几十年中，许多先进的实验技术对土工材料的行为提供了前所未有的见解。一个著名的例子是所谓的全场技术，例如X射线和中子成像，它可以对经历水化学热机械载荷的土工材料的4D（3D +时间）响应进行非破坏性表征。尽管在过去十年中X射线断层扫描已成为该领域的支柱，但中子成像仍然是一个相对鲜为人知的工具。中子束的独特性质，例如对氢（例如水，碳氢化合物）的高敏感性，对金属的高渗透性（允许施加极端边界条件）和同位素敏感性（例如，${\text{d}}_{\text{2个}}$O /${\text{H}}_{\text{2个}}$O），使中子成像成为用于实验地球力学的极其有趣的工具。

本文回顾了中子成像对地球力学的贡献。特别关注的是一些最新进展的潜力，例如与同步X射线的结合以及时空分辨率的显着提高。