Features you need to know about the concrete vibrators

This machine is among the construction tools and equipment. It is needed to vibrate concrete when pouring the slab. The concrete vibration creates space for air bubbles to escape from the mixture; when the air bubble is allowed to settle, it causes honeycombing and blemishes.

Introduction

A concrete vibrator ensures a better quality of the concrete after drying up. Therefore, this is an essential machine for any construction work.

How a concrete vibrator works

• It allows air to float up and out of the concrete
• The tip is not withdrawn faster than the air can move upwards about 3 inches per second
• The tip goes to 6 inches in the layer

Concrete vibrators come in different forms;

1. Electric
2. Air driven

Concrete vibration is grouped into categories

1. Surface vibration

• Jumpers are directed manually on the surface with the poured concrete
• This method is done to a depth of slab of 6 inches or less
• The technique enhances a smooth surface that is desirable

2. Internal vibration

• The internal concrete vibrators are commonly used
• A single operator handles it
• The process is simple
• The internal vibrator for concrete is jammed into the wet concrete and withdrawn slowly

3. Formwork vibration

• Used in precast concrete construction
• It involves mounting vibrators to the outside of the concrete forms
• Internal form vibrators are spaced 6f feet apart for the larger pours

How to use a concrete vibrator

1. a) Identify the ones that have not been vibrated
2. b) Submerge the vibrator’s head into the concrete and hold it for at least 10 seconds
3. c) Do not turn on the vibrator until the tip is deeper.
4. d) Put the vibrator at a rate of not more than 3 inches per second
5. e) Ensure you overlap the previous vibration radius when inserting the vibrator
6. f) Stop vibration when air no longer escapes from the concrete or the concrete.

Precautions

• Ensure that you always wear rubber, insulated grooves, and protective shoes.
• Always wear safety glasses
• Carry the vibrator by grasping the motor
• Avoid over-vibration of the concrete
• Avoid using the vibrator to move the concrete laterally
• Ensure that the vibrator does not touch the surface of the framework
• Vibration should be controlled carefully
• Ensure the concrete is laid in layers of 10cm to 60cm thick

Reasons why concrete vibration is required

1. For consolidation purposes
2. To reduce the amount of air in the concrete
3. To prevent segregation in concrete
4. To prevent bleeding

Results of improper concrete vibration

• Increase in concrete permeability this affecting the durability period of the concrete
• Spaces in the concrete lessen the concrete’s strength
• Heavy bleeding leads to sand streaking
• Entrapped air leads to the reduction of the density of the concrete
• It may lead to the formation of honeycombs
• Placement lines may appear

Results of over vibration

• Sand streaks
• Formwork failures
• Loss of entrained air
• Concrete segregation
• Excessive deflection
• Excessive deformation

Factors that affect concrete compaction

• Inadequate vibrators
• Workability of the concrete
• Mix proportions
• Use of the correct method of vibration

Conclusion

It works by buying concrete vibrators for building and construction jobs.