A methodology for spatial distribution of grain and voids in self compacting concrete using digital image processing methods

Digital image processing algorithms for the analysis and characterization of grains and voids in cemented materials were developed using toolbox functions of a mathematical software package. Utilization of grayscale, color and watershed segmentation algorithms and their performances were demonstrated on artificially prepared self-compacting concrete (SCC) samples. It has been found that color segmentation was more advantageous over the gray scale segmentation for the detection of voids whereas the latter method provided satisfying results for the aggregate grains due to the sharp contrast between their colors and the cohesive matrix. The watershed segmentation method, on the other hand, appeared to be very efficient while separating touching objects in digital images.