Aggregate Imaging Measurement System (AIMS)

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Slide 1

Aggregate Imaging Measurement System (AIMS)

Project Team: Pine Instrument, Texas A&M, and Texas DOT

Award: $200,000

Conceptualized rendering of the final AIMS system

A video-clip is available (.wmv, 14.5 mb)

Slide 2

Need

Aggregate shape properties have been shown to be related to the structural integrity and performance of pavement systems.
Existing tests for aggregate shape properties are time-consuming and subjective.

Anticipated advantages over conventional practice

Enhanced information on the aggregate material shape properties will help improve pavement performance and augment predictive models.
AIMS provides objective, repeatable, and rapid measurement of aggregate shape properties.

Slide 3

AIMS Characterizes Aggregate Shape Properties for Pavement Materials

Illustration of three shaped properties of a aggregate particle; form, angularity, and texture. There is an existing standardized test from ASTM for form and angularity. There no comparable standardized test currently available for texture.

Slide 4

Existing Technique

Aggregate sample

Under ASTM D5821, aggregates are examined manually and fractured faces are counted on each particle

New Technique

AIMS prototype system

Prototype AIMS System

Captures and analyzes images of multiple particles and characterizes the material sample. A graphical output is provided.

Slide 5

Angularity Output Graph Illustrates the Percent of Particles for Each Aggregate Sample

The graph represents the AIMS angularity index distribution for six aggregate samples. The graph illustrates the percent of particles for each aggregate sample which fall into rounded, sub rounded, sub-angular, and angular categories.