Digital Image Processing on Segregation of Rubber Sand Mixture

Abstract

The segregation of rubber sand mixtures, when they form heaps, as observed by the method of digital image processing (DIP), is presented. Through segmenting the digital images into a binary picture, the DIP method enables material ingredients identification and three-dimensional mapping of mixture segregation. This helps reach a better understanding of mixture heterogeneity when incorporating artificial material into conventional geotechnical materials. To gain an insight into the mixture heterogeneity, the DIP results were used to validate a discrete element model, and the model was then used to examine the influence of particle properties on the segregation. The discrete element simulations showed that the particle density is critical in material segregation, and the segregation becomes more noticeable when the materials density ratio increases. This trend is restricted by increasing the interparticle surface roughness.