Application of Digital Image Processing to Determine the Properties of Aggregates and Soil using MATLAB: A Case Study

The vital physical characteristics of aggregates used in engineering and for interpretation of the genesis of naturally occurring sediment are shape and size of rocks. The mineralogical and physical composition of the rock is necessary to cater to the interaction within bounded space and soundings. Several image processing programs are available to measure the size and shape of various types of objects. The accuracy and reproducibility of the results of these imaging methods could be bettered. This paper aims to determine the aggregate dimension and volume to space behaviors through image processing tools. This study is extended investigation of the coarse aggregate shape properties such as area, volume, center of gravity (CG), elongation and flakiness index. Also, this paper discuss the development of an easy to use image processing tool to determine the shrinkage of soils due to lack of moisture content either because of natural ways/artificial ways. Two different types of soils including first sample near the SNU lake and second sample near Business Management School at Shiv Nadar University (SNU), India were collected. The samples were oven-dried over a period and shrinkage values were determined by Digital Image Processing (DIP) using MATLAB. The results are compared to wax-water method (manual method) results of shrinkage. The properties found by DIP method are reasonably agreeable for multiple aggregates and minor percentage differences in the soil shrinkage results.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON APPLICATION OF MARBLE WASTE AS CONVENTIONAL AGGREGATE FOR BASE COURSE MATERIALS

Recently, highway and construction industries utilize a substantial quantity of conventional aggregates. The increasing demands for conventional aggregate cause an increase in the cost of construction, reduction of natural resource, and continuing deterioration of the earth's surface. On the other hand, the waste generated from the marble industries during the process of cutting and polishing was increasing day by day all over the world. In Ethiopia, the use of Marble Waste Aggregate materials in road construction as a base course material was not well-known, and it was simply wasted at every place where the marble production was continuing. Therefore, this paper focused on evaluating the possibility of using marble waste aggregate as conventional aggregate in the base course layer of flexible pavements by experimental method. To achieve the objectives of the research, mechanical stabilization and laboratory tests have been carried out at different percentage replacement of Conventional Aggregate by (0%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) of Marble Waste Aggregate weights. Marble wastes materials are collected from Burayyu city, Alisha marble processing industry. The laboratory test results for MWA indicated SG, ACV, AIV, LAA, Flakiness Index , Elongation Index, Plastic Index, Water Absorption, and CBR of 2.74%, 23.63%, 26.21%, 27.03%, 26.48%, 13.29%, Non Plastic, 0.50% and 73.3%, respectively. These test results fulfilled the ERA standard specification for some tests, and it showed marginal quality values to the standard specification for GB2 and GB3 base course materials. CBR and gradation test results shown failure to meet the standard specification. Thus, mechanical stabilization was done to improve the mechanical and physical properties of Marble Waste Aggregate. Blending of 80%MWA with 20% CA results in SG, ACV, AIV, LAA, Flakiness Index, Elongation Index, Plastic Index, Water Absorption, and CBR of 2.83%, 18.2%, 21.52%, 22.58%, 23.79%, 16.29%, Non Plastic, 0.80%,and 82.5% respectively. At this proportion the gradation also observed to fit with the required ERA standard specification of GB2 and GB3 materials. Therefore, the use of marble waste aggregate up to 80% by weight is recommended for road base course layer, when it is found near to the construction site and in places where the materials are abundantly available.

Improving Recycled Aggregate Quality by Mechanical Pre-Processing

Concrete with crushed concrete aggregates (CCA) shows lesser compressive strength than reference concrete with natural aggregates. The goal of this study is to improve the strength of structural concrete with 53% and 100% CCA replacements without increasing the cement content. Thus, improvements in CCA quality are induced by combining mechanical and pre-soaking pre-processing techniques. Mechanical pre-processing by rotating drum is separately pursued on fine and coarse CCA for 10 and 15 min respectively. Results show, adhered mortar content and CCA water absorption reduces as pre-processing duration increases. Pre-processing influences CCA particle grading, flakiness index, shape index, void-content, unit-weight and density, jointly seen as packing density, which increases with pre-processing duration. Water amount to pre-soak CCA before concrete mixing is stable despite grading modifications, due to reduced water absorption resulting from mechanical pre-processing. Compressive strength and workability for pre-processed CCA50 and CCA100 concrete are comparable to reference concrete and show similar trends of improvement with packing density. Packing density markedly shows the quality improvements induced by pre-processing on CCA, maybe considered as one of the quality assessment indexes for CCA. Packing density should be investigated for other recipes to see the stability of the trend with workability and compressive strength.

POTENTIAL USE OF CINDER GRAVEL AS AN ALTERNATIVE BASE COURSE MATERIAL THROUGH BLENDING WITH CRUSHED STONE AGGREGATE AND CEMENT TREATMENT

Cinder gravels are pyroclastic materials associated with recent volcanic activity which occur in characteristically straight sided cone shaped hills. The aim of this study was to use this marginal material which is abundantly available in many parts of Ethiopia by modifying their properties through mechanical blending and chemical stabilization. Results of physical and mechanical test conducted on cinder gravel samples prove their marginality to be used as base course materials especially for highly trafficked roads. An experimental investigation were carried by blending cinder gravels with conventional crushed stone bases course material, Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA), in proportions of cinder/ Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA) (10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60 and 50/50) and treating with 6. 8 and 10% of cement. According to results of sieve analysis, Aggregate crushing value (ACV), flakiness index and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), 30% of Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA) can be replaced by cinder gravels for use as Fresh, crushed rock (GB1) material and for cement treated cinder gravels adding 6% and 8% cement make them suitable for use as Stabilized base course (CB2) and (CB1) base course materials respectively, referring to their 14 day compressive strength as determined by Unified compressive strength test(UCS) test.

The Evaluation of Geotechnical Properties of Precambrian Hazara Slates, Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

The fold and thrust belt of the eastern Hazara division characterised the sedimentary rocks of Precambrian toPaleocene age. The sequence and formation of Precambrian signify the oldest rock unit as Hazara Slate. Geologicalmap of the study area was prepared at the scale of 1:75,000 for about 140 square kilometre area located inMuzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir) district and Lohargali of Abbottabad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) district. The lab analysisshows that it is not rational to use Hazara slates as aggregate material due to its mineral accumulation and composition.Los Angele’s Abrasion Value, Impact Value, Crushing Value, Specific Gravity, Water Absorption, Flakiness Index,Elongation Index, Porosity Value, California Bearing Ratio test and Grain Size Analysis were done and co-related withB.S standards and the parameters were deduced. It was observed that the mineral composition of Hazara Slates rangesfor illite, kaolinite, quartz and carbonate. Kaolinite and illite are clay minerals which haveswelling potential to causeconstruction material damage the material. The presence of Carbonate and Quartz gives strength to the material, but itspercentage is low. Reserves calculation of different localities was also done for the quarry development.

The Evaluation of Geotechnical Properties of Precambrian Hazara Slates, Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

The fold and thrust belt of the eastern Hazara division characterised the sedimentary rocks of Precambrian toPaleocene age. The sequence and formation of Precambrian signify the oldest rock unit as Hazara Slate. Geologicalmap of the study area was prepared at the scale of 1:75,000 for about 140 square kilometre area located inMuzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir) district and Lohargali of Abbottabad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) district. The lab analysisshows that it is not rational to use Hazara slates as aggregate material due to its mineral accumulation and composition.Los Angele’s Abrasion Value, Impact Value, Crushing Value, Specific Gravity, Water Absorption, Flakiness Index,Elongation Index, Porosity Value, California Bearing Ratio test and Grain Size Analysis were done and co-related withB.S standards and the parameters were deduced. It was observed that the mineral composition of Hazara Slates rangesfor illite, kaolinite, quartz and carbonate. Kaolinite and illite are clay minerals which haveswelling potential to causeconstruction material damage the material. The presence of Carbonate and Quartz gives strength to the material, but itspercentage is low. Reserves calculation of different localities was also done for the quarry development.

KARAKTERISTIK CAMPURAN AC-WC MENGGUNAKAN AGREGAT SIMEULUE DENGAN VARIASI ASPAL RETONA BLEND 55 DAN ASPAL PENETRASI 60/70

Asphalt concrete pavement is depend on the type and composition of aggregate, asphalt, and filler being used. In this study, the aggregate used was an aggregate of Simeulue Island. In this Regency are difficult to find enough hard aggregate because the majority of the rocks there come from the process of particles mineral deposition, rest of the animals and plants which are found in the River (Aribowo, 2014). This research was conducted to find out the level of asphalt mixtures resistance using Simeulue aggregate with asphalt variation percentage of retona blend 55 and pen. 60/70 as a binder. This research begins with an examination of the physical properties of asphalt and aggregate next manufactured specimens based on gradations planning to determine of optimum asphalt content (OAC) with the overlapping method. From the results obtained, the elongation and flakiness index value did not meet the required specifications, those were 35.27% and 14.38%. The soundness aggregate against of Sodium and Magnesium sulfate (Mg2SO4) = 26.43% where is the maximum value required 12%. Aggregate wear value still meets the requirement, that was 23.84% 40%. OAC for AC-WC mixture using 100% RB, 100% Pen, 80% RB/ 20% Pen, 65% RB/ 35% Pen, 50% RB/ 50% Pen. was in the amount of 6.18%; 6.37%; 6.20%; 6.06% and 6.06%. From the Marshall test results in every OAC for all variations of immersion, showed the stability value using RB higher than by using Pen. 60/70. This was because asphalt RB can tie the Simeulue aggregate well compared to asphalt Pen. 60/70. The flow value was higher than the asphalt RB. VIM and MQ value at all immersion variation, using asphalt RB were higher than by using asphalt Pen. The durability value in all types of AC-WC mixture still meets the requirements of the Dept. PU (2010) ≥ 90%. While the durability value of 48-hour immersion already is under 90%.Abstrak: Perkerasan beton aspal sangat tergantung pada jenis dan komposisi agregat, aspal serta filler yang digunakan. Penelitian ini menggunakan agregat dari Kabupaten Simeulue. Pada Kabupaten ini sulit ditemukan agregat yang cukup keras karena mayoritas batuan yang ada berasal dari proses pengendapan partikel mineral, sisa hewan dan tanaman yang terdapat di sungai dan memiliki nilai pelapukan yang tinggi (Aribowo, 2014). Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui tingkat ketahanan agregat Simeulue dengan variasi persentase aspal retona blend 55 dan aspal penetrasi 60/70 sebagai bahan pengikat dengan harapan dapat menghasilkan perkerasan yang lebih baik. Penelitian ini diawali dengan pemeriksaan sifat fisis aspal dan agregat selanjutnya dilakukan pembuatan benda uji berdasarkan gradasi rencana untuk menentukan kadar aspal optimum (KAO) dengan metode overlapping. Dari hasil penelitian agregat diperoleh nilai indeks kepipihan dan kelonjongan tidak memenuhi syarat yaitu sebesar 35,27% dan 14,38%. Kekekalan bentuk agregat terhadap larutan NaCl dan MgSO4 = 26,43% dimana nilai yang disyaratkan maksimal 12%. Untuk nilai keausan agregat masih memenuhi syarat yaitu sebesar 23,84% 40%. KAO campuran AC-WC menggunakan 100% RB, 100% Pen. 60/70, 80% RB/ 20% Pen, 65% RB/ 35% Pen, 50% Rb/ 50% Pen, masing-masing sebesar 6,18%; 6,37%; 6,20%; 6,06% dan 6,06%. Dari hasil uji Marshall pada setiap KAO untuk semua variasi rendaman, menujukkan nilai stabilitas menggunakan aspal RB lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan Pen. 60/70. Hal ini dikarenakan aspal RB dapat mengikat agregat Simeulue dengan baik. Nilai flow lebih tinggi dibandingkan aspal RB. Untuk nilai VIM dan nilai MQ menggunakan aspal RB lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan Pen. 60/70. Nilai durabilitas pertama pada semua jenis campuran masih memenuhi persyaratan Departemen PU (2010) ≥ 90%. Sedangkan nilai durabilitas kedua sudah berada di bawah 90%.

Evaluation of aggregates from conglomerate beds of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup, Chure Khola area, Central Nepal Sub-Himalaya

Durability of infrastructures demands detail study of rocks which helps to give knowledge on physical properties, strength and durability of rocks, and their usefulness as construction materials. A wide belt of conglomerates of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup (Pliocene to Lower Pleistocene) extends in the Chure Hills of Central Nepal. These conglomerates are mostly loosely consolidated, matrix-supported and containing clast of diverse composition. Because of haphazard mining of the riverbeds of the Chure and Dudhaura Kholas, the present study was carried out for evaluation of clasts from the conglomerates distributed at the hillslopes of the Chure Khola, as alternative sources mainly for unbound pavement. Stiffness and durability of clasts from conglomerates was tested for grading, shape indices, Water Absorption Value (WAV), specific gravity, Aggregate Impact Value (AIV), Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Los Angles Abrasion Value (LAV), Sodium Sulphate Soundness Value (SSSV) and Slake Durability Index (SDI). The suitability of clast from conglomerates for unbound pavement was finally evaluated for the sample for intended uses following specifications of British standard, ASTM standard and Nepal standard.The clasts of conglomerate beds are composed of quartzite, sandstone, siltstone, schist, marble, phyllite, granite, limestone and amphibolite. Among all those clasts, quartzite is dominant in all samples. The texture of clast is smooth and rough surface. Flakiness index (FI) and Elongation index (EI) indicate that aggregates possess only some flat and elongate grains and are good in workability. WAV lies below 3% and the dry density (2260kg/m3–2750kg/m3) of aggregates, coincides with the standard average value of ASTM Standard, British Standard and Nepal Standard. The ACV of the sample lies in the range 17% to 26% within the limit of ASTM standard, BS and Nepal Standard. The Los Angles Value of the sample lies in the range 34% to 44.60% and therefore, they can be used for base course and sub base course. SSSV for five cycles was calculated to be less than 10%. SDI after second cycle is very high (94.29%) and samples are durable in nature according to ASTM D4644- 87 Standard. All parameters show that the sample of the clast of conglomerate deposited along the Chure Khola are durable meeting all ASTM, British and Nepal Standard and thus are suitable unbound pavement.Bulletin of the Department of Geology, vol. 19, 2016, pp. 1–14

Effect of Coarse Aggregate Sizes on Properties of Porous Concrete Paving Blocks

Properties of Porous Concrete Paving Blocks (PCPB) were investigated in this study. Two groups of coarse aggregate sizes were performed; passing 8 mm retains 5 mm and passing 10 mm retains 8 mm. For mixture design, 100 % of coarse aggregate were used. However, fine aggregate was eliminated in this investigation. The density, water absorption, flakiness index and elongation index test were performed to determine the properties of the coarse aggregate used in this study. Compression test and skid resistance test were used to evaluate the performance of PCPB. The results show that PCPB containing coarse aggregate size 5 8 mm give high compressive strength compared to others PCPB specimen. In addition, both PCPB specimens give an in increasing in skid resistance approximately 30 % compared to Concrete Paving Blocks (CPB).