Identification of Dominant Shape Characteristic for Particle Packing Models using an Imaging Technique for Aggregates
Aggregates occupy most of the volume of concrete. A proper packing of aggregates with binding material ensures reduction in voids and thereby better performance of concrete. A good packing of the aggregates in a mix can be achieved by filling up the void space left by large or coarse aggregates by the finer aggregates, followed by standard process of compaction. Therefore, precise evaluation of characteristics of ingredients of concrete is highly essential. Various mathematical models for studying concrete mix proportions have been proposed in the literature. Most of these models have remained restricted to studying spherical or near-spherical particles. Therefore there is a need to understand whether there is a possibility of extending the existing theories to non-spherical particles also. The paper also presents the development of Digital Image Processing (DIP) based system for the measurement of volume, equivalent volume diameter, sphericity, roundness index of coarse aggregate particles.
