The effect of particle form on sieve analysis: a test by image analysis

Particle form has a substantial influence on sieve-analysis results. Image analysis methods provide new means for determining size of aggregates. It is easy to measure the long and intermediate axial dimensions of particles. However a method which is sensitive to the geometrical form of the particles is needed in order to give a more accurate measure of size integrated with form. Two samples of railroad aggregates were measured and sieved by hand, classified according to form and measured using image analysis. A comparison is made between image analysis results, traditional sieve results and the actual hand measured size and form of each particle in the samples. Image analysis gives highly accurate measure of the axial dimensions defined for each individual particle whereas sieve results are highly dependent upon particle form.