ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the development of a morphological approach based on particle size distributions for the analysis of the condition of pavement surfaces. It provides the first phase of a broader research effort that aims to develop and implement morphological measures that can characterize both the surface condition and the material properties of pavement structures. Mathematical morphology has its roots in texture analysis and problems of determining material properties, Pavement structures are made of composite materials, with particles bound together by asphalt or Portland cement mix. Collected data are analyzed to characterize pavement surface condition and establish causes of deterioration. Digitized data from a pavement condition survey are used to detect and classify distress into various categories such as cracking, raveling, rutting, and others. Changing the shape of a structuring element results only in a change of the sensitivity of the opening distributions between cracking and texture, with some shapes favoring cracking and others texture.
