This work develops a strategy to benchmark image analysis tools that can used for the determination of contact fabric from tomographic images. The discrete element method is used to create and load a reference specimen for which the fabric and its evolution is precisely known. Chosen states of this synthetic specimen are turned into realistic images taking into account inherent image properties, such as the partial volume effect, blur and noise. The application of the image analysis tools on these images validates the findings of the metrological study and highlights the importance of addressing the identified shortcomings, i.e., the systematical over-detection of contacts and the strong bias of orientations when using common watersheds.

These data serve as a basis for comparing the evolution of excess pore water pressure in different materials (natural sands, mixtures of glass beads and crushed sand), as well as various influencing factors and specimen preparation methods, obtained using the newly developed simplified undrained cyclic shear test, the PWP Tester. Additionally, the data for the determination of grain shape parameters of several materials are included. These files support the publication: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa2-945638.

These data serve as the basis for the extraction and comparison of soil fabric in the case of two different natural sands and one mixture of glass beads prepared via sedimentation under water (UWFP). Furthermore, data for one coarse sand prepared using spoon slurry deposition (SSD) and via 45-degree sedimentation under water (45) are provided. These files support the publication: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa2-945638.