Grain Portraits: Quantifying Heterogeneity of Aggregate Layers through Image Analysis
Publication: Geo-Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
An approach is presented for quantifying surface heterogeneity of granular layers based on digital analysis of images taken using low-cost, widely available equipment. The method enables rapid survey of large surface areas with high spatial discretization. Inputs to the analysis routine are RGB pictures of the aggregate surface, while key outputs are approximate size distributions and a descriptor termed “median feature size” (MFS). The routine is comprised of four main stages: contrast enhancement, noise reduction, segmentation, and data analysis/visualization. The paper discusses the application of the method for characterizing aggregate layers built at four sites. MFS data effectively capture spatial variability of the aggregate surface coarseness, providing a means to quantify material heterogeneity produced by segregation processes. Statistical analyses demonstrate a correlation between MFS and in situ hydraulic conductivity, and support the notion that the MFS is an indicator of local heterogeneities driving variability of hydraulic conductivity at the local scale.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this chapter.
REFERENCES
ASTM. (2017). Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis. ASTM D6913−17. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
Bradley, D., and Roth, G. (2007). “Adaptive thresholding using the integral image.” J. Graphics Tools, 12(2), 13–21.
El Howayek, A., Bobet, A., and Santagata, M. (2019). “Microstructure and cementation of two carbonatic fine-grained soils.” Can. Geotech. J., 56(3), 320–334.
Garzon Sabogal, L., Getchell, A., Becker, P., Bourdeau, P. L., and Santagata, M. (2023). “Development of compaction control guidelines for aggregate drainage layers and evaluation of in situ permeability testing methods for aggregates.”. West Lafayette, IN.
Getchell, A., Garzon Sabogal, L., Bourdeau, P. L., and Santagata, M. (2020). Investigation of design alternatives for the subbase of concrete pavements. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue Univ.
Hryciw, R. D., Zheng, J., Ohm, H. S., and Li, J. (2014). “Innovations in optical geo-characterization.” In Geo-Congress 2014: Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability (97–116).
INDOT. (2022). Indiana Department of Transportation Standard Specifications 2022.
MATLAB. (2020). version 9.8.0.1380330 (R2020a). Natick, Massachusetts: The MathWorks Inc.
Meyer, F. (1994). “Topographic distance and watershed lines.” Signal Process., 38(1), 113–125.
Otsu, N. (1979). “A threshold selection method from gray-level histograms.” IEEE transactions on systems, man, and cybernetics, 9(1),62–66.
Rao, C., Tutumluer, E., and Stefanski, J. A. (2001). “Coarse aggregate shape and size properties using a new image analyzer.” J. Test. Eval., 29(5), 461–471.
Rechenmacher, A. L., and Finno, R. J. (2004). “Digital image correlation to evaluate shear banding in dilative sands.” Geotech. Test. J., 27(1), 13–22.
Tutumluer, E. (2013). Practices for Unbound Aggregate Pavement Layers. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC.
Vincent, L. (1993). “Morphological grayscale reconstruction in image analysis: applications and efficient algorithms.” IEEE transactions on image processing 2(2), 176–201.
White, D. J., Take, W. A., and Bolton, M. D. (2001). “Measuring soil deformation in geotechnical models using digital images and PIV analysis.” In 10th International conference on computer methods and advances in geomechanics, Tucson, Arizona (pp. 997–1002).
White, D. J., Vennapusa, P. K., Suleiman, M. T., and Jahren, C. T. (2007). “An in-situ device for rapid determination of permeability for granular bases.” Geotech. Test. J. 30(4), 282–291.
Zuiderveld, K. (1994). “Contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization.” Graphics Gems, 474–485.
Paglieroni, D. W. (1992). “Distance transforms: properties and machine vision applications.” CVGIP: Graphical models and image processing, 54(1), 56–74.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Geo-Congress 2024
Pages: 329 - 339
History
Published online: Feb 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aggregates
- Analysis (by type)
- Chemical properties
- Chemistry
- Data analysis
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Grain (material)
- Heterogeneity
- Hydraulic conductivity
- Infrastructure
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Materials processing
- Methodology (by type)
- Pavements
- Research methods (by type)
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Spatial analysis
- Spatial data
- Transportation engineering
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.