Asphalt Mixture Segregation Detection: Digital Image Processing Approach

Mohamadtaqi Baqersad,Hesham Ali,Amirmasoud Hamedi,Mojtaba Mohammadafzali

doi:10.1155/2017/9493408

Mohamadtaqi Baqersad, Hesham Ali + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9493408

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Abstract

Segregation determination in the asphalt pavement is an issue causing many disputes between agencies and contractors. The visual inspection method has commonly been used to determine pavement texture and in-place core density test used for verification. Furthermore, laser-based devices, such as the Florida Texture Meter (FTM) and the Circular Track Meter (CTM), have recently been developed to evaluate the asphalt mixture texture. In this study, an innovative digital image processing approach is used to determine pavement segregation. In this procedure, the standard deviation of the grayscale image frequency histogram is used to determine segregated regions. Linear Discriminate Analysis (LDA) is then implemented on the obtained standard deviations from image processing to classify pavements into the segregated and nonsegregated areas. The visual inspection method is utilized to verify this method. The results have demonstrated that this new method is a robust tool to determine segregated areas in newly paved FC9.5 pavement types.

Highlights

Characteristic of asphalt material impacts on asphalt quality and driving safety [1]
Florida Texture Meter (FTM) and Circular Track Meter (CTM) are laser-based devices that can be used for this purpose [6, 7]
The frequency histogram standard deviation is calculated as a symbol representing the pavement surface texture to be used to detect pavement segregation

Summary

Introduction

Characteristic of asphalt material impacts on asphalt quality and driving safety [1]. Segregation of aggregates alters material properties and accelerates deterioration’s rate [2, 3]. Pavement segregation is one of the main concerns affecting the performance of asphalt pavements. Segregation is defined as separation of aggregates gradation, so that coarse and fine aggregates are separated in the asphalt mixture [4]. Existence of enough bituminous and stickiness between asphalt materials may reduce deterioration of asphalt concrete [5]. Detection of segregated areas in pavements has always been a disputable issue between agencies and contractors. Segregated areas are primarily detected by the visual inspection and verified by core density [4]. Segregation can be determined by measuring the surface texture of the pavement. Florida Texture Meter (FTM) and Circular Track Meter (CTM) are laser-based devices that can be used for this purpose [6, 7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion