SpringerLink
Log in

The particle-size distribution of concrete and mortar aggregates by image analysis

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Particle-size analysis on ancient mortars and concretes aggregate is today a common practice in Cultural Heritage and civil engineering. Normally, a particle-size distribution of mortar aggregates on in situ materials is carried out using sieves, following the dissolution of the carbonate binder. This technique needs about 200 g of material per sample and produces a large volume of liquid wastes. Sampling is generally supervised by local authorities especially in the field of cultural heritage. Over the years it has therefore become necessary to devise analytical solutions for collecting the smallest volume of material to preserve the buildings. In this research a non-destructive testing to define the aggregate distribution and their percentage in the mortars and/or concretes is presented. It consists of 2D particle size image analysis performed in thin sections. To evaluate the reliability and limitations of this method, already operated in other research, 20 particle-size distributions, characterized by aggregates with Roundness 0.5 < R < 0.95 and Circularity 0.4 < C < 0.75 were created and analyzed using real sieves. Afterwards, the same particle-distributions were mixed with resin to reproduce a “fake” concrete/mortar. A thin section of this latter was analyzed by appropriate software. The method shows a good prediction of the Resin/Aggregate ratio with uniformity coefficient of 0.88 together with variable reliability of the particle-size distribution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sitzia F (2021) The San Saturnino Basilica (Cagliari, Italy): an up-close investigation about the archaeological stratigraphy of mortars from the roman to the middle ages. Heritage 4:1836–1853. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Columbu S, Palomba M, Sitzia F, Murgia MR (2018) Geochemical, mineral-petrographic and physical-mechanical characterization of stones and mortars from the Romanesque Saccargia Basilica (Sardinia, Italy) to define their origin and alteration. Ital J Geosci. https://doi.org/10.3301/IJG.2018.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bakolas A, Biscontin G, Moropoulou A, Zendri E (1998) Characterization of structural byzantine mortars by thermogravimetric analysis. Thermochim Acta. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0040-6031(98)00454-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sitzia F, Peters MJH, Lisci C (2022) Climate change and its outcome on the archaeological areas and their building materials. The case study of Tharros (Italy). Digit Appl Archaeol Cult Herit. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2022.e00226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sitzia F, Massimo B, Stefano C et al (2020) Ancient restoration and production technologies of Roman mortars from monuments placed in hydrogeological risk areas: a case study. Archaeol Anthropol Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01080-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Varzaneh AS, Naderi M (2020) Determination of mechanical properties of repair mortars using in situ methods under different curings. EUREKA Phys Eng. https://doi.org/10.21303/2461-4262.2020.001190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wetmore MN, Vitruvius MMH (1916) Vitruvius: the ten books on architecture. Class Wkly. https://doi.org/10.2307/4387224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Lisci C, Sitzia F (2021) Degrado, danni e difetti delle pietre naturali e dei laterizi. Meccanismi di alterazione, patologie, tecniche diagnostiche e schede pratiche, Maggioli Edition. ISBN 88915058

  9. Columbu S, Sitzia F, Verdiani G (2015) Contribution of petrophysical analysis and 3D digital survey in the archaeometric investigations of the Emperor Hadrian’s Baths (Tivoli, Italy). Rend Lincei. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-015-0469-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Borsoi G, Santos Silva A, Menezes P et al (2019) Analytical characterization of ancient mortars from the archaeological roman site of Pisões (Beja, Portugal). Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Campadelli P, Gangai C, Pasquale F (1999) Automated morphometric analysis in peripheral neuropathies. Comput Biol Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4825(98)00051-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Field JS (2008) Geographical information systems in archaeology. J Isl Coast Archaeol. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564890701870552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Conolly J, Lake M (2006) Geographical information systems in archaeology. Cambridge Edition. ISBN 978-0521797443

  14. Chermant JL, Serra J (1996) Automatic image analysis today. Microsc Microanal Microstruct. https://doi.org/10.1051/mmm:1996123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Maritan L, Piovesan R, Dal Sasso G et al (2020) Comparison between different image acquisition methods for grain-size analysis and quantification of ceramic inclusions by digital image processing: how much similar are the results? Archaeol Anthropol Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01096-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gomes O da FM, Lima PRL, Fontes AV (2012) Morphological characterization of natural and artificial sands through image analysis. In: Proceedings of the 10th international congress for applied mineralogy (ICAM). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27682-8_32

  17. Revilla-Cuesta V, Skaf M, Santamaría A et al (2021) Temporal flowability evolution of slag-based self-compacting concrete with recycled concrete aggregate. J Clean Prod. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Khan HA, Yasir M, Castel A (2022) Performance of cementitious and alkali-activated mortars exposed to laboratory simulated microbially induced corrosion test. Cem Concr Compos 128:104445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Khater HM, Ghareib M (2020) Optimization of geopolymer mortar incorporating heavy metals in producing dense hybrid composites. J Build Eng 32:101684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sitzia F, Lisci C, Mirão J (2021) Building pathology and environment: Weathering and decay of stone construction materials subjected to a Csa mediterranean climate laboratory simulation. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sitzia F, Lisci C, Mirão J (2021) Accelerate ageing on building stone materials by simulating daily, seasonal thermo-hygrometric conditions and solar radiation of Csa Mediterranean climate. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sitzia F, Lisci C, Mirão J (2022) The interaction between rainwater and polished building stones for flooring and cladding—implications in architecture. J Build Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Araujo GS, Bicalho KV, Tristão FA (2017) Use of digital image analysis combined with fractal theory to determine particle morphology and surface texture of quartz sands. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Chermant JL, Chermant L, Coster M et al (2001) Some fields of applications of automatic image analysis in civil engineering. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(00)00059-7

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  25. Coster M, Chermant JL (2001) Image analysis and mathematical morphology for civil engineering materials. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(00)00058-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ammouche A, Breysse D, Hornain H et al (2000) New image analysis technique for the quantitative assessment of microcracks in cement-based materials. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00212-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Navi P, Pignat C (1999) Three-dimensional characterization of the pore structure of a simulated cement paste. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(98)00199-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mora CF, Kwan AKH (2000) Sphericity, shape factor, and convexity measurement of coarse aggregate for concrete using digital image processing. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00259-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kwan AKH, Mora CF, Chan HC (1999) Particle shape analysis of coarse aggregate using digital image processing. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00105-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Mora CF, Kwan AKH, Chan HC (1998) Particle size distribution analysis of coarse aggregate using digital image processing. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(98)00043-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Sitzia F, Beltrame M, Lisci C, Mirao J (2021) Micro destructive analysis for the characterization of ancient mortars: a case study from the little roman bath of Nora (Sardinia, Italy). Heritage 4:2544–2562. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Cagnana A (2000) Archeologia dei materiali da costruzione. SAP-Socirtà archeologica s.r.l., Mantova. ISBN: 88-87115-20-6

  33. Casadio F, Chiari G, Simon S (2005) Evaluation of binder/aggregate ratios in archaelogical lime mortars with carbonate aggregate: a comparative assessment of chemical, mechanical and microscopic approaches. Archaeometry. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2005.00226.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Aprile A, Castellano G, Eramo G (2019) Classification of mineral inclusions in ancient ceramics: comparing different modal analysis strategies. Archaeol Anthropol Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-018-0690-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Maritan L (2019) Archaeo-ceramic 2.0: investigating ancient ceramics using modern technological approaches. Archaeol Anthropol Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00927-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Reedy CL, Anderson J, Reedy TJ, Liu Y (2014) Image analysis in quantitative particle studies of archaeological ceramic thin sections. Adv Archaeol Pract. https://doi.org/10.7183/2326-3768.2.4.252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Mertens G, Elsen J (2006) Use of computer assisted image analysis for the determination of the grain-size distribution of sands used in mortars. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2006.03.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Marinoni N, Pavese A, Foi M, Trombino L (2005) Characterisation of mortar morphology in thin sections by digital image processing. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.09.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Middendorf B, Schade T, Kraus K (2019) Quantitative analysis of historic mortars by digital image analysis of thin sections. Restor Build Monum. https://doi.org/10.1515/rbm-2016-0011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Moita P, Santos JF, Pereira MF et al (2015) The quartz-dioritic Hospitais intrusion (SW Iberian Massif) and its mafic microgranular enclaves—evidence for mineral clustering. Lithos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2015.02.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Higgins MD (2000) Measurement of crystal size distributions. Am Mineral. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2000-8-901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Oleschko K (1998) Delesse principle and statistical fractal sets: 1. Dimensional equivalents. Soil Tillage Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(98)00179-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Delesee MA (1874) Procédé mécanique pour déterminer la composition des roches. Compte- Rendus d’ Académie des Sci 25:544–545

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the following funding sources: INOVSTONE4.0 (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024535), co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) under the project UID/Multi/04449/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007649). Fabio Sitzia gratefully acknowledge the Recursos Humanos Altamente Qualificados (University of Evora) for the contract with Ref. ALT2059-2019-24.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva 8, 7000-809, Évora, Portugal

    Fabio Sitzia, Massimo Beltrame & José Mirão

  2. Geosciences Department, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671, Évora, Portugal

    Fabio Sitzia & José Mirão

  3. CIDEHUS, UNESCO Chair of Intangible Heritage and Traditional Know-How: Linking Heritage, University of Évora, Palacío do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809, Évora, Portugal

    Massimo Beltrame

Authors
  1. Fabio Sitzia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Massimo Beltrame
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. José Mirão
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

FS: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, project administration, resources, software, supervision, methodology, validation, visualization, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing. MB: methodology, validation, visualization, writing—review and editing. JM: funding acquisition, validation, visualization, writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabio Sitzia.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sitzia, F., Beltrame, M. & Mirão, J. The particle-size distribution of concrete and mortar aggregates by image analysis. J Build Rehabil 7, 74 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-022-00214-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-022-00214-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation