Title: Characterising the aggregate structure variations in asphalt concrete during compaction using computer automated imaging techniques

Authors: Kasthurirangan Gopalakrishnan, Naga Shashidhar

Addresses: 353 Town Engineering Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3232, USA. ' Corning Inc., One Riverfront Plaza, HP-CB-08-7, Corning, NY 14831, USA

Abstract: The internal structure of Asphalt Concrete (AC) mixes, which refers to the content and the spatial and directional distribution of air-voids, aggregates and asphalt, evolves during the process of compaction which is an important step in the construction of AC pavements. During the process of compaction, aggregates coated with asphalt are brought together by pressure and kneading action while reducing the volume of air trapped within it. This study focused on applying computer automated imaging techniques and near-neighbour distance methods to quantify the variation in inter-particle distances and areas during the process of laboratory compaction of AC.

Keywords: asphalt concrete; image analysis; near-neighbour distance methods; Delaunay triangulation; Voronoi diagram; compaction; automated imaging; concrete mixes; road construction; pavement construction; air voids; aggregates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2007.014563

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2007 Vol.28 No.4, pp.295 - 303

Published online: 16 Jul 2007 *

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