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Vibration of Concrete
Introduction There are three inter-related properties that may
influence the behaviour of a concrete mix during
vibration. These are known as compactibility,
The correct placing and compaction of fresh
mobility and stability. Each is affected by changes
concrete are probably the most important parts of
in the physical make-up of the mix, and can control
the whole sequence of concreting operations.
the degree to which efficient consolidation of the
Success relies on careful planning, the right
particles is possible.
manpower and internal equipment. This
information bulletin discusses various aspects of
Compactability refers to the ease with which a
the compaction process. It is pertinent to
concrete can be compacted properly with efficient
remember that the mixing process for concrete
removal of entrapped air and the repositioning of
entraps air within the mix. For each 1% of voids left
constituent particles into a denser state.
within the concrete the strength is reduced by
approximately 5-6%. Air entrapped in the concrete
Mobility of mix related to aspects of flow. Internal
leaving the mixer typically may vary from 5-20%.
cohesion due to frictional effects, surface forces
and the like is an important factor here.
Compaction is vital to achieve:
Stability of a mix refers to its resistance to
1. Maximum strength of the placed concrete.
segregation effects during transporting, handling,
placing and compacting.
2. Maximum durability.
Segregation. A significant separation of the course
3. Adequate bond and protection for
and fine fractions is highly detrimental to concrete
reinforcement in the concrete.
quality.
4. Avoidance or reduction of visual blemishes,
The object in vibrating concrete is to mobilise it
such as honeycombing and blowholes on the
sufficiently, so that it becomes plastic enough to
surface of form cast concrete.
enable air voids to be removed and the aggregate
particles to gravitate together to form a
The ease with which optimum compaction can be
homogeneous mass. The stiffer the mix and the
achieved by vibration techniques is related to:
larger the aggregate particle sizes, the greater will
be the force required to energise the mix.
1. Physical properties of the fresh concrete which
in turn depend on the type of aggregate,
Lower water cement ratio concrete has a lower
constituent particle shapes, and relative mix
workability, but becomes a much stronger
proportions. Harsh mixes are more difficult to
compacted concrete. A high degree of compaction
consolidate. Mixes high in fines or cement are
with harsh mixes requires very efficient vibration
"sticky" and may also present problems of
both in terms of effectiveness of the applied poker
compaction;
vibrator and the number of insertions made.
2. Types of vibrators, associated characteristics
and vibration patterns through the concrete;
Vibration Mechanisms
3. Techniques in handling vibrators, in particular
spacing and duration of vibration. The equipment that is used in compacting concrete
Amplitude is the maximum departure for a point of During the vibration process the concrete
rest during a displacement cycle under vibration. undergoes three different stages. The first is the
Most concrete vibrators operate with an amplitude initial rapid collapse of the uncompacted mix. This
of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. requires a large energy usage. If the vibration effort
is too low, the internal resistance of the mix
Frequency (f) is usually described by the number of dampens the motion and the concrete absorbs the
vibrations per unit time. 1 Hertz (hz) = 1 vibration energy without any plastic deformation occurring.
per second, or 60 vibrations per minute. Therefore As the force is increased, the mechanical
200 Hz refers to 12,000 vibrations per minute. properties of the mix and its resistance to the
compaction effort falls until the material is
The displacement at any time during a simple sine transformed into a liquid. The mass then begins to
wave oscillation is given by the formula x = s sin flow.
(2ft) where s denotes the amplitude.
As the concrete then liquefies, de-aeration begins
Similarly, the acceleration (which is the rate at and most of the entrapped air is released. Finally,
which the velocity is changing) at any time in the as the number of air bubbles being liberated
ceases, little energy is required to overcome the selection of power sources and types of vibrating
internal friction and damping effect of the concrete mechanisms. The power source is either electric,
as the mix is behaving nearly as an ideal fluid, and pneumatic, petrol or diesel based. The vibrating
its surface begins to acquire a glistening smooth mechanism in the poker head can be driven by a
appearance. flexible shaft, motor-in-head or pneumatically.
Vibrating Screeds
Surface vibration is usually accomplished by
comparatively light single or double vibrating
screeds which can compact up to 200 mm thick
layers of flowing to plastic concrete mixtures. For
such screeds, a frequency range of 3,000 to 6,000
vibrations per minute and accelerations to 5-10 g
are customary. The amplitude distribution along
the screed should be reasonably uniform (figure 6).
Vibrating table techniques are usually restricted to The main feature of construction work tends to be a
precasting operations. On a vibrating table, the lack of sufficient vibration to the concrete in terms
forms as well as the concrete can move during of providing manpower and equipment to match
vibration and resonance may occur. Also reflection the placing rate of the concrete. When placement
of the pressure waves against the concrete surface is by concrete pump considerable resources are
will influence the amplitude distribution (figure 7). needed if full compaction is to be achieved.
Internal Vibrators
Most concrete is compacted by means of
immersion or poker vibrators. This method is
considered the most satisfactory because the
poker works directly on the concrete and can be
moved from one position to another easily and
quickly. For most reinforced concrete work, pokers
of diameters from 25 mm up to 75 mm are used.
Diameters up to 100 and 150 mm are available, but
their use is mainly restricted to mass concrete in
heavy civil engineering works like dam
construction. Due to their weight, these large
pokers usually need two people to handle and
operate them. For efficient compaction, the largest
diameter that the complexity of formwork and
reinforcement will allow should be used. Table 2
Figure 7: Principle of table vibration. gives an indication of poker sizes and applications.
Avoid touching the reinforcement with the 8. Make sure the driver motor will not vibrate
poker, although, provided that all the concrete itself off the stagings, and when finished clean
is still fresh, vibrating the reinforcement all the equipment thoroughly.
should not do any harm and could improve
the bond. The danger lies in the vibrations in
the reinforcement being transmitted into parts
of the section where the concrete may have
stiffened, in which case the bond may be
affected.
Provided that it is still workable, compacted 4. Regularly check all equipment for signs of
concrete will not be harmed if it is revibrated. In wear and get any faults seen to.
fact, tests have shown that the strength is
increased slightly if it is revibrated some time after 5. Never engage a poker drive to a motor that is
the initial compaction. running. Many accidents have happened
because the operator didnt bother to switch
On columns and walls where surface finish is of off the motor or, if it was fitted with a
importance, there is sometimes a tendency for centrifugal clutch, didnt throttle it back.
blowholes to occur in the top 600 mm of a lift;
because unlike the lower layers, this top layer does 6. Ensure there is enough grease in the bearings,
not have the advantage of the weight of additional for example, the vibrator tube may start to
concrete on top to increase the compaction. It can twist and jump about. If this happens, stop
often help to revibrate the top 600 mm or so some the vibrator, examine the bearings, and grease
thirty minutes to one hour after the initial them if necessary.
compaction.
7. Avoid leaving pokers in the same place for
In thick sections of slabs and beams, and long periods when vibrating concrete.
particularly with mixes that are prone to bleeding,
there is a danger of plastic settlement cracks 8. Dont leave pokers running while waiting for
appearing over the line of top reinforcement. These fresh supplies of concrete.
1. Ensure that all joints, both within and between 2. At intersections and angles, the distance over
panels, are tight and sealed. The formwork which they are effective is reduced; they
moves more than it does with poker vibration should therefore be positioned about 0.5 m
Summary
Vibrating Screed
Optimum compaction of concrete must be achieved
These can be used for compacting slabs up to 200 if the concrete is going to achieve its strength and
mm in thickness. The following points should be durability requirements.
noted.
Modern day methods of mechanical vibration
1. The vibrating beams should be run over as provide the most economical means of compacting
long a length of slab as possible in one pass. concrete in most construction situations. They
One well controlled pass of a double beam cannot however make up for human deficiencies in
should be adequate. A second faster pass of the handling of the equipment which usually
the double beam may be necessary in some relates to having insufficient manpower and
cases to improve the finish on the concrete. equipment available to match the speed of
concrete placing that can be achieved.
2. Too many passes of the beam will bring
unwanted excess mortar to the surface.
Further Reading
3. A surcharge of concrete is required to be
maintained ahead of the beam (see figure 11). Cable, J.K., McDaniel, L., Schlorholtz, S., Redmond,
ISSN 0114-8826
Revised Edition March 2005. Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand, Level 6, 142 Featherston Street, PO Box 448, Wellington, telephone
(04) 499-8820, fax (04) 499-7760, e-mail admin@cca.org.nz, www.cca.org.nz.
Since the information in the bulletin is for general guidance only and in no way replaces the services of professional consultants on particular projects,
no liability can be accepted by the Association by its use.