Abstract
Angularity is a critically important property in terms of the performance of natural particulate materials. It is also one of the most difficult to measure objectively using traditional methods. Here we present an innovative and efficient approach to the determination of particle angularity using image analysis. The direct use of three-dimensional data offers a more robust solution than the two-dimensional methods proposed previously. The algorithm is based on the application of mathematical morphological techniques to range imagery, and effectively simulates the natural wear processes by which rock particles become rounded. The analysis of simulated volume loss is used to provide a valuable measure of angularity that is geometrically commensurate with the traditional definitions. Experimental data obtained using real particle samples are presented and results correlated with existing methods in order to demonstrate the validity of the new approach. The implementation of technologies such as these has the potential to offer significant process optimisation and environmental benefits to the producers of aggregates and their composites. The technique is theoretically extendable to the quantification of surface texture.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mora, C.F., Kwan, A.K.H.: Sphericity, shape factor, and convexity measurement of coarse aggregate for concrete using digital image processing. Cement Concrete Res. 30, 351–358 (2000)
Wilson, J.D., Klotz, L.D., Nagaraj, C.: Automated measurement of aggregate indices of shape. Part. Sci. Technol. 15, 13–35 (1997)
Masad, E., Olcott, D., White, T., Tashman, L. Correlation of fine aggregate imaging shape indices with asphalt mixture performance. Transp. Res. Rec. 1757, 148–157 (2001)
Masad, E., Button, J.: Unified imaging approach for measuring aggregate angularity and texture. Comput. Aid. Civil Infrastruct. Eng. 15, 273–280 (2000)
Leavers, V.F.: An active angularity factor for the characterization of abrasive particles. Wear 239, 102–110 (2000)
Vallejo, L.E.: Fractal analysis of granular materials. Géotechnique 45(1), 159–163 (1995)
Pons, M.N., Vivier, H., Belaroui, K., Bernard-Michel, B., Cordier, F., Oulhana, D., Dodds, J.A.: Particle morphology: from visualization to measurement. Powder Technol. 103, 44–57 (1999)
Bérubé, D., Jébrak, M.: High precision boundary fractal analysis for shape characterization. Comput. Geosci. 25, 1059–1071 (1999)
Moore, C.A., Donaldson, C.F.: Quantifying soil microstructure using fractals. Géotechnique 45(1), 105–116 (1995)
Sternberg, S.R.: Grayscale morphology. CVGIP 35, 333–355 (1986)
Koskinen, L., Astola, J., Neuvo, Y.: Soft morphological filters. Proc. SPIE 1568, 262–270 (1991)
Serra, J.: Image Analysis and Mathematical Morphology. Academic, London (1982)
Kuosmanen, P., Astola, J.: Soft morphological filtering. J. Math. Imaging Vis. 5, 231–262 (1995)
Bribiesca, E.: Measuring 2-D shape compactness using the contact perimeter. Comput. Math. Appl. 33(11), 1–9 (1997)
Bribiesca, E.: A measure of compactness for 3D shapes. Comput. Math. Appl. 40, 1275–1284 (2000)
Powers, M.C.: A new roundness scale for sedimentary particles. J. Sediment. Petrol. 23, 117–119 (1953)
Wadell, H.: Volume, shape, and roundness of quartz particles. J. Geol. 43, 250–280 (1935)
Lanaro, F., Tolppanen, P.: 3D characterization of coarse aggregates. Eng. Geol. 65, 17–30 (2002)
Maerz, N.H.: Technical and computational aspects of the measurement of aggregate shape by digital image analysis. J. Comput. Civil Eng. 18, 10–18 (2004)
MacLeod, N.: Geometric morphometrics and geological form-classification systems. Earth Sci. Rev. 59, 27–47 (2002)
BS 812: 1975—Methods for Sampling and Testing of Mineral Aggregates and Fillers. British Standards Institution, London (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lee, J.R.J., Smith, M.L., Smith, L.N. et al. A mathematical morphology approach to image based 3D particle shape analysis. Machine Vision and Applications 16, 282–288 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-005-0181-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-005-0181-x