Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2025

Extracting Metrics for Three-dimensional Root Systems: Volume and Surface Analysis from In-soil X-ray Computed Tomography Data
Published on: April 26, 2016
A novel approach to determine the surface area of buckspoor spider webs and other irregular-shaped two-dimensional
Christiaan Venter1, Charles Richard Haddad2, Daryl Codron2
1Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Abstract:
Arising from the practical need to determine the surface area of the buckspoor spider webs of Seothyra schreineri, an approach for area determination was developed based on image processing. The method rendered results that were considered valid and reliable. Aside from the present application to determine the surface area of a spider web, this approach could potentially be used to accurately determine the area of any two-dimensional shape. For each web's photograph:•The boundary of the web was outlined.•Seeded region growing was used to segment the image into a web region and a background region.•The area of the web was determined as a pixel count, and then converted to mm2.
Related Concept Videos
Theorems of Pappus and Guldinus: Problem Solving
Areas Within Irregular Boundaries
Parallel-Axis Theorem for an Area
For a flywheel approximated as a solid disc, consider an infinitesimal differential element with an arbitrary distance...
Area Computation by the Alternative Coordinate Method
Gauss's Law: Planar Symmetry
Two-Dimensional Microscopy in Microbiology

