Application of digital image processing in the determination of soil consolidation coefficient

Paknejad, Kamal; Gholi Ejlali, Reza; Sayyed Fattahi, Sayyed Javad; Javaheri Koupaei, Hossein

doi:10.22075/ijnaa.2025.36698.5389

Application of digital image processing in the determination of soil consolidation coefficient

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Kamal Paknejad ¹

Reza Gholi Ejlali ²

Sayyed Javad Sayyed Fattahi ³

Hossein Javaheri Koupaei ¹

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Departments of Civil Engineering, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

³ ‌Departments of Electrical Engineering, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

10.22075/ijnaa.2025.36698.5389

Abstract

In geotechnical engineering, in order to perform analyzes related to consolidation settlement, appropriate values of the consolidation coefficient should be available. In this research, the digital image processing (DIP) technique has been used to determine the deformation of the consolidation sample during the consolidation process. Due to the limitations of the conventional consolidation machine in terms of sample dimensions and also the lack of visibility of the sample, and as a result, the inability to take pictures, a new large-scale consolidation machine has been made. In order to ensure the proper functioning of the new device, 3 series of consolidation tests have been performed on Tabriz saturated clay samples with the new consolidation device as well as the conventional consolidation device. The comparison of the results shows that the consolidation parameters measured by the new device are comparable to the conventional odometer device. Then, by performing 4 series of consolidation tests with a new consolidation device and taking pictures of the sample during the consolidation process, the information related to the deformation of the sample was recorded and with the help of the DIP technique, the deformation of the consolidation sample, and as a result, the load-deformation information was measured and the consolidation coefficient of the samples has been determined based on them. The results show the accuracy and efficiency of the DIP technique in determining soil consolidation parameters. The valuable conclusion of this research is that the image processing technique can be a cost-effective and suitable method for determining the consolidation coefficient, because it does not require measuring devices and eliminates human errors in reading and recording data.

Keywords

Soil consolidation

Digital image processing

Consolidation coefficient

Large consolidation odeometer

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