Quantifying Sand Particle Shape Complexity using a Dynamic, Digital Imaging Technique

Abstract

Sands used to construct athletic fields and golf course putting greens are characterized in laboratory tests to evaluate their suitability before construction. Many of these tests provide quantitative measurements of soil physical properties; however current evaluation procedures for particle shape rely on subjective visual assessments. The objective was to quantify differences in the particle shape complexity of sands using a dynamic, digital image analyzer, the Camsizer, and correlate those values to current quantitative and qualitative methods of particle shape analysis. The Camsizer uses two cameras to capture images of randomly falling particles at a rate of 60 frames s−1 These images are analyzed and shape parameters such as sphericity and aspect ratio are calculated. Five monosize sands of varying shape were evaluated, as well as a rounded and angular control. The dynamic method showed significant differences between sphericity and aspect ratio values of all sands, indicating these parameters can be used to quantitatively assess particle shape complexity. The values obtained with the Camsizer and with a well accepted static, quantitative technique that uses light microscopy were correlated for both aspect ratio (r = 0.935) and sphericity (r = 0.982). The Camsizer values also exhibited a positive relationship with the qualitative shape parameters, sphericity, and angularity. The coefficient of variation values for the aspect ratio and sphericity data, as determined by the dynamic method, were significantly lower than the static method or the qualitative analysis. These results indicate that this digital imaging analysis tool provides an accurate, objective means of quantifying particle shape complexity.

Physical abrasion of mafic minerals and basalt grains: Application to martian aeolian deposits

“…Lo Guo et al, 2011;Jerolmack et al, 2011). The particle shadows are scanned in 64 directions, providing a precise and detailed analysis of a wide range of particle shapes using CAMSIZER analysis software (e.g., Lo Miller and Henderson, 2010;Patchigolla and Wilkinson, 2010;Jerolmack et al, 2011). Particle shape parameters that are collected in this study include size, roundness, and sphericity (http://www.retsch--technology.com).…”

Correlating Particle Shape Parameters to Bulk Properties and Load Stress at Two Water Contents

“…This is a completely reproducible method that uses clearly defined quantitative measures conforming to international standards of particle shape quantification (International Organization for Standardization, 2006, 2008). The quantitative sphericity and aspect ratio parameters most closely correspond with current qualitative ratings of angularity and sphericity, respectively (Miller and Henderson, 2010). The Camsizer sphericity values and the qualitative angularity ratings are affected by particle surface irregularities, whereas the quantitative aspect ratio values and the qualitative sphericity values describe the overall roundness of the particles.…”

“…Sand particle shape quantification can also be accomplished using a dynamic, digital imaging method. It has been reported that this technique provides quantitative shape parameters that are not only consistent with those of current shape evaluation methods, but are also more precise and better able to differentiate between varying shape complexities (Miller and Henderson, 2010). The shape parameters provided by this technique include sphericity, symmetry, and aspect ratio.…”

“…The procedure described by ASTM D5550‐06 (ASTM, 2006a) was used for determining particle density. A summary of the origin and particle densities of all materials used can be found in Table 1 (Miller and Henderson, 2010). Shape quantification was achieved by dynamic digital image analysis using a Camsizer (Horiba Instruments, Inc., Irvine, CA) (Miller and Henderson, 2010).…”

Effect of pelleting on the recalcitrance and bioconversion of dilute-acid pretreated corn stover under low- and high-solids conditions

“…This method was reported to be highly correlated with a well-accepted static/quantitative technique using light microscopy (r > 0.9 for both aspect ratio and sphericity) [24]. Particle size distribution (PSD) was determined according to a standardized method developed by the ISO [25].…”