Laboratory application of imaging technology on pavement material analysis in multiple scales: A review

Abstract

Abstract Digital image processing technology has been widely applied in various fields, and it is also increasingly used in pavement material analysis in recent years. The objective of this review article is to help researchers to select the most appropriate digital image processing (DIP) technology (image acquisition equipment, processing technology etc.) to study the pavement materials in multiscale in the laboratory. Firstly, a summary of the current image acquisition equipment (both the micro image acquisition equipment and the macro image acquisition equipment), their suitable ranges are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages are compared. Secondly, the problems encountered in the practical application of image processing technology in the study of pavement materials are summarized. Finally, the problems need to be solved in the future research are suggested, including microscopic analysis, mesoscopic analysis, such as air voids distribution analysis, aggregate shape characteristics etc., and macroscopic analysis, such as gradation detection and crack detection. In conclusion, the state art of pavement material analysis in multiscale by digital images processing technology are summarized. Moreover, more and more studies have proved that the digital image processing technology has become a promising method for pavement materials analysis.