NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Improved Mesoscale Segmentation of Concrete from 3D X-ray Images Using Contrast Enhancers
Published
Author(s)
Pietro Carrara, Rolands Kruse, Dale P. Bentz, M Lunardelli, Thorsten Leusmann, P Varady, Laura De Lorenzis
Abstract
Obtaining the mesostructure of concrete from X-ray computed tomography (CT) requires segmentation of the data into distinct phases, a process complicated by the limited contrast between aggregates and mortar matrix. This paper explores the possibility to add barite or hematite into the concrete mixture to enhance the contrast between cement paste and aggregates in CT, thus allowing for a semi-automatic segmentation. Raw and segmented CT images of plain and modified concrete mixtures are obtained and compared to assess the validity of the proposed approach. Characterization tests are also performed in order to ensure that the concrete characteristics are not appreciably affected by the presence of the enhancers.
Carrara, P.
, Kruse, R.
, Bentz, D.
, Lunardelli, M.
, Leusmann, T.
, Varady, P.
and De Lorenzis, L.
(2018),
Improved Mesoscale Segmentation of Concrete from 3D X-ray Images Using Contrast Enhancers, Cement and Concrete Composites, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.06.014, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=924748
(Accessed October 11, 2025)