There’s no hard and fast rule that applies when creating the perfect concrete, but Adam Equipment’s Nimbus precision balance can help pave the way to a better quality product.
Durable and versatile, concrete provides a rock-solid foundation
Concrete is a composite material. That means it comprises several ingredients, including fine and coarse aggregates, water, cement and air. There are a myriad variables in every batch of concrete. Aggregates usually make up the bulk of the volume in concrete. Fine aggregate is sand; coarse aggregate is gravel or crushed stone. It’s the combination and types of the fine and coarse aggregates that determine the density of the concrete. And while water is an essential ingredient, too much can cause quality problems.
The ideal concrete mix contains just enough water to hydrate the cement, which binds the ingredients. Without adequate hydration, the concrete can be difficult or impossible to pour.
As the concrete hardens, the water evaporates, leaving voids or spaces in the concrete. The size and number of voids are directly related to the amount of water used to hydrate the cement. A greater number of voids (and the larger they are) can lead to a lower quality of concrete, possibly with defects that could compromise structural integrity.
Test concrete with the Nimbus to verify quality
Construction standards are state-regulated and materials must meet or exceed them. Workers are able to verify a material’s quality by performing a variety of tests for density, compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, elasticity, permeability, thermal expansion, drying shrinkage and heat capacity. Adam Equipment’s Nimbus precision balance provides an easy and accurate way to determine the specific gravity of cured samples.
To perform specific gravity testing using the Nimbus, the balance is placed on a tabletop with a cutout or on a stand designed specifically for this test. A basket is attached to a wire that hangs from the balance’s weigh-below hook and suspended over a container of water beneath the balance.
After placing the sample material on top of the balance, the weight is recorded automatically by the balance. Next, the sample is placed in the basket and lowered into the container of water. The balance records the weight of the submerged sample, and using both measurements, intuitive soft ware calculates the sample’s specific gravity.
Manufacturer recommends Nimbus for materials testing in construction projects
One company that sings the praises of the Nimbus for testing concrete is Humboldt Manufacturing. Located in Schiller Park, Ill., Humboldt manufactures and distributes equipment for materials testing. Many of Humboldt’s customers are in the road construction industry, including contractors, consultants, transportation department employees, and lab workers.
Humboldt produces its own line of testing equipment, but offers products from other manufacturers such as Adam Equipment to provide a wider selection to customers, according to Humboldt’s Director of Marketing Robin Bailey. In many cases, Humboldt recommends the Nimbus for testing concrete. There are several reasons for that, Bailey said. Durability and price are the big advantages with the Nimbus, since users oft en work with dirty, heavy substances and want a product that is able to withstand rigorous use.
“When you’re dealing with concrete blocks, obviously things are going to get scratched and dented. People realize they’re just going to get messy. The nice thing about Adam’s scales is that they hold up. That’s a big deal.”
– Robin Bailey, Marketing Director, Humboldt Manufacturing
Ideal for measuring samples, Nimbus provides speedy results when assessing multiple quantities in a short time. To accommodate bulky or heavy samples, Nimbus precision balances with 0.001g readability have a removable draft shield to help minimize the effects of indoor air movement or outdoor breezes during field testing. This ensures the Nimbus will reliably deliver precise, consistent measurements in any setting.
Adam Equipment’s Nimbus precision balance is designed with features that are ideal for performing specific gravity testing on concrete or other construction materials. The Nimbus boasts overload protection to safeguard the balance against damage from excessive weight. All-metal construction and large, stainless steel pan make the Nimbus suitable for use in the field where dirt and grime are commonplace, as well as in the test lab.
For more information on Nimbus precision balances, visit www.adamequipment.com/nimbus-precision-balances.