Application of image analysis tools in Matlab to better estimate the degree of binder coverage in rolling bottles test

© 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. In asphalt mixture, a strong affinity between binder and aggregates is of prime importance, especially under conditions susceptible to moisture damage. Out of various modifiers/additives used in the literature, the hydrated lime (HL) has been reported as most suitable for improving affinity between binder and aggregates. Therefore, this study attempted to quantify the affinity of HL modified mastics with different aggregates under moist conditions. Further, in order to measure the affinity, the rolling bottle test (RBT) was used, which is also reported as one of the best empirical techniques for assessment of moisture susceptibility. However, in the RBT, the assessment for affinity is generally made through visual inspection by two experienced operators as per a standard procedure which can also be the major drawback of this technique in terms of less reliability and repeatability. Thereby, to reduce this deficiency, the image analysis (with no special setup) was also carried out through the use of the MATLAB program. The results as obtained from image analysis were then compared with the results of visual observation. Both were found to be very similar to each other. Hence, the RBT could be used confidently for the comparison of different binder/aggregate combinations. Also, the RBT results indicated that the HL addition was beneficial with granite, basalt and greywacke aggregates, but it did not have any effect with limestone aggregates. Further, the 10% HL substitution was found to be more efficient than 20% HL substitution as both substitutions showed a similar effect in most of the studied combinations

Investigating the use of 3D digitisation for public facing applications in cultural heritage institutions

This thesis contains research into the use of 3D digitisation technologies by cultural heritage institutions in public facing applications. It is particularly interested in those technologies that can be adopted by institutions with limited budget and no previous experience in 3D digitisation. Whilst there has been research in the area of 3D imaging by museums and cultural heritage institutions, the majority is concerned with the use of the technology for academic or professional, curatorial purposes and on technical comparisons of the various technologies used for capture. Similarly, research conducted on the use of 3D models for public facing and public engagement applications has tended to focus on the various capture technologies, while little has been published on processing raw data for public facing applications – a time-consuming and potentially costly procedure. This research will investigate the issues encountered through the entire 3D digitisation workflow, from capture through processing to dissemination, focusing on the specific problems inherent in public facing projects and the heterogeneous and often problematic nature of museum objects. There has been little research published on the efficacy of 3D models both as providers of informational content and as public engagement tools used to fulfil a cultural heritage institution’s public facing remit. This research assesses the utility of interactive 3D models, as well as rendered animations of 3D content used as in-gallery exhibits and disseminated online. It finds that there is a prima facie case for believing that 3D models may be used to further a museum’s engagement and educational aims, and that there is an appetite among the general public for the use of this type of content in cultural heritage applications. The research will also compare a variety of methods for assessing the success of models

Measuring Bitumen Coverage of Stones using a Turntable and Specular Reflections

The durability of a road is among other factors dependent on the affinity between stones in the top layer and bitumen that holds the stones together. Poor adherence will cause stones to detach from the surface of the road more easily. The rolling bottle method is the standard way to determine the affinity between stones and bitumen. In this test a number of stones covered in bitumen are put in a rolling bottle filled with water. After rolling a number of hours the bitumen coverage are estimated by visually investigating the stones. This paper describes a method for automatic estimation of the degree of bitumen coverage using image analysis instead of manual inspection. The proposed method is based on the observation that bitumen reflects light much better than raw stones. In this paper we propose a method based on the reflections to estimate the degree of bitumen coverage. The stones are put on a turntable which is illuminated and a camera is placed straight above the stones. Turning the table will illuminate different sides of the stones and cause reflections on different part of the images. The results are compared to manual inspection and are well in agreement with these

Full Proceedings, 2018

Full conference proceedings for the 2018 International Building Physics Association Conference hosted at Syracuse University

Energy: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 16, January 1978

This bibliography lists 1287 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system from October 1, 1977 through December 31, 1977