Quantitative Image Analysis of Masonry Mortar Microstructure

The mechanisms involved in the bonding of brick and mortar include microstructural processes. These processes can be studied by analyzing digital computer microscopy images of brick and mortar specimens both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, all phases within an image of a masonry mortar specimen were segmented using an algorithm that combines a conventional grey-level thresholding technique with a filtering process to differentiate between the textures of each phase. The algorithm was integrated into a macro program so that the quantitative analysis could be performed automatically, saving time and limiting some operator bias. The results obtained from the image-based phase analysis were used to analyze changes in air void content and consolidation of fresh masonry mortars exposed to clay brick and concrete units.