Light microscopy image segmentation using active contours driven by local image information for environmentally friendly fired-clay bricks design and characterization.

This study proposes an innovative approach for the recycling of dry wastewater sludge in the production of fired clay bricks, aiming to create environmentally friendly and cost-effective building materials. Consequently, the proposed research focuses on optimizing the thermal and mechanical properties of ceramic bricks, while incorporating sewage sludge as a pore-forming agent in brick manufacturing process. For the assessment of porosity in ceramic brick mixtures with varying volumetric proportions of ash, clay and wastewater sludge, a novel method for microscopy image analysis is proposed. This advanced image segmentation method uses active contours driven by local image information to accurately estimate brick porosity from light microscopy images, coping with light reflections, intensity inhomogeneity, and the defocus effect present on the sample surface. The thermal properties of the ceramic blocks were assessed using non-contact infrared lock-in thermography and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The obtained results indicate that incorporating sewage sludge increases porosity, thereby improving the material's insulating properties, with the cost of reduced mechanical strength. Nevertheless, the compressive strength for a mixture containing 15% of sewage sludge meets the criteria for the production of first-class bricks, according to ASTM C62 standards for brick manufacturing. The present study demonstrates that incorporating sewage sludge into fired clay ceramic bricks production is a feasible and sustainable approach, offering significant advantages for waste management and promoting energy-efficient building design.