Get the best out of your concrete with one of our concrete air entrainment meters and get precise air content and durability for your fresh concrete. Our fresh concrete air meters are the ultimate tool for measuring air content in hardened concrete and freshly mixed concrete.
Pressure air meters are the tool of choice for measuring air content in freshly mixed concrete. From top of the line air entrainment meter to a precise calibration vessel for calibration adjustments, you can measure the air entrained in your concrete mixes with confidence and get optimal performance.
Lightweight coarse aggregates, sand content or dense concrete, our air meters meet ASTM C231 standards. With accurate results you get the control you need over the air content and air voids in your hardened concrete.
Our most popular is the fresh Concrete Air Meter with Stainless Steel Gauge, industrial rack and pinion mechanism, ±1% of full scale.
A air entrainment concrete meter, also known as a concrete pressure meter, is a device used in concrete testing to measure air content and air voids of fresh concrete. Introducing tiny microscopic air bubbles into the ordinary concrete mix can improve its durability and workability; you can do this by adding the air entraining agent during the mixing process, but you must measure the air entrained.
An air entrainment meter consists of a pressure gauge, stainless steel pressure chamber, calibrated glass vessel and a measuring cylinder. The testing process involves filling the glass with a known volume of fresh concrete, then subjecting it to a vacuum, then pressurizing it to release the entrapped air. The released air volume is measured with a calibration cylinder, and the air content is calculated as a percentage of the total volume.
A volumetric air meter is a specific type of air measurement device for measuring air entrained in concrete. It’s lightweight, leak proof and ASTM compliant, more efficient and durable than others.
Our concrete air meters, also known as concrete pressure meters, are specifically designed to test and measure air content and air entrainment in fresh concrete. Featuring a state-of-the-art pressure gauge, pressure chamber, and air void spacing evaluation, these meters provide precise and reliable results. They require fewer strokes during testing, enhancing efficiency. Additionally, we offer all replacement parts and comprehensive service for the air meter cover assembly.
All our air meters meet ASTM C231 standards and have calibration adjustments for precise accuracy. Made from high quality materials like stainless steel and cast aluminum they are durable and long lasting.
The newest are the Concrete Pressure Air Meter Kit with a rugged Gorilla Pressure Gauge, tamping rod and plastic carrying case for convenience and the Super Air Meter with digital gauge. For a quicker and cheaper way to test air entrainment in a fresh concrete sample our chace air indicator kit.
Our starter kits also come with a plastic carrying case for convenience. Whether you’re working with lightweight coarse aggregate or other types of concrete our concrete air testing meters have everything you need to test accurately.
A Type B air entrainment meter is an essential tool for testing concrete, as it measures the air content of fresh concrete. Utilizing the pressure-to-volume relationship defined by Boyle’s Law, this device effectively assesses the air entrainment in freshly mixed concrete. Its unique design and functionality enable accurate measurement of air content across various concrete mixes, even those containing materials that necessitate air inclusion.
Type B air meters are used in freeze-thaw durability testing to measure air content in concrete samples that will be exposed to freezing and thawing cycles. If you’re building something that will be in contact with freezing water.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, adding air to concrete actually enhances its durability through microscopic air voids. It's important to differentiate between air in concrete and entrapped air, which is why air meters are necessary for measurement.
By using a type B concrete air meter you can control the quality and performance of the concrete. With precise results you can evaluate the air entrained concrete and adjust as needed.
Air meters used for testing entrained air in concrete offer numerous advantages for assessing air content. By measuring air entrainment, you can achieve the desired level of entrainment, resulting in improved durability against freezing conditions.
These tests also give you an overall view of the concrete quality to ensure it meets the specification and standards. Concrete air meters allow you to monitor the flow of all air bubbles and voids, for better workability, finishing and construction quality.
Non air-entrained concrete has some moisture levels; when the temperature drops to freezing the moisture content expands. Without enough room the surface can crack and scale. The billions of air bubbles created with entrainment act as reservoirs to hold the expanding moisture. So having a concrete air meter to check the air content of fresh concrete can be the difference of a beautiful building.
Using concrete air meters to measure entrainment is crucial. They measure air voids in fresh concrete for better durability.
When working with fresh concrete air entrainment meter you need to use an air entrainment meter or testing equipment to make sure you’re treating the air entraining admixture correctly. If not done correctly problems can arise that can compromise the strength of the concrete. When it comes to concrete air entrainment meter the spacing and size of the bubbles is key. The bubbles should be spaced no more than 0.01 inches apart throughout the air ent.
Without the right spacing the concrete mixture durability is compromised and you might have to start all over. Air entrainment testing equipment gives you the most accurate view of the air content and top quality products is the way to get precise results.
Our air meters are user-friendly and convenient, featuring a test pressure gauge for precise readings. Whether you're looking for a starter kit that includes the air entrainment meter and all necessary items for air entrainment tests, or just a replacement part, we've got you covered.
Our products like American Cube Mold ACM-6 Concrete Air Entrainment Kit with Rubber Mallet comes with everything you need to measure your air entraining admixture including tamping rod. We also have products like American Cube Mold ACM-6A Concreate Air Entrainment Meter (Type B) which is a more affordable option for testing. We also sell the new air entrainment meter digital pressure gauge called Super Air Meter. The super air meter is a new innovation for testing concrete mixes and comes with the air meter, calibration vessel and air pump. Each is perfect for testing air bubbles in fresh concrete air meter.
We also have full range of freeze thaw equipment for concrete mixes. Browse the full list here or contact us for more info.
Tamping Rods for Slump Cone Test have hemispherical tips and is for use when consolidating concrete specimens in tests that include slump, air content and strength test of same slump.
Utilizing concrete meters in air entrainment tests is essential for assessing the long-term durability and performance of concrete structures, particularly in harsh climates subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, as opposed to those in milder conditions with non-air-entrained concrete. This product description details the volume of voids in air-entrained concrete achieved through air-entraining admixtures, highlighting the importance of the air meter in ensuring the effective integration and measurement of entrained air and air content.
Air-entrained concrete involves the deliberate incorporation of microscopic air bubbles into a concrete mix using an air-entraining agent. These stable bubbles create a network of tiny expansion chambers in both fresh and hardened concrete, helping to alleviate internal pressure resulting from water expansion during freeze-thaw cycles and exposure to deicing salts. The primary advantage of air-entrained concrete is its durability and resilience in freezing temperatures, making it a standard practice for concrete used in roads, bridges, and buildings in cold climates.
The air meter is an instrument used to test the air content that quantifies the volume of air in concrete. This test is important to ensure the concrete mix has the desired level of air entrained concrete as specified for the project’s climate and concrete properties. The meter gauges air content using the pressure method, which entails applying pressure to a sealed concrete sample and measuring the change in pressure to determine the volume and quantity.
Preparation: A concrete sample is taken from fresh and hardened batch and poured into the meter’s bowl and consolidated into 3 equal layers using tamping rods. This ensures uniform distribution of concrete and air bubbles.
Applying Air Pressure: Once the bowl is sealed, an external pump applies air pressure. This process introduces air into the concrete, displacing some of the water and compressing the air voids.
Reading Air Content: The pressure difference before and after stabilization gives a direct reading of total air content in concrete. The aggregate correction factor is used to adjust the reading based on the properties of the aggregates used in the mix.
The aggregate correction factor plays a crucial role in measuring air content, as it accounts for the influence of aggregate particles on these measurements. Various types of aggregates—whether coarse or fine, high or low density—affect the results differently. Therefore, accurately adjusting for these variations is essential for the precision of air content tests, which are vital to ensure that air entrainment meets durability requirements.
Increased Freeze-Thaw Resistance: Air entrained concrete has tiny chambers for frozen water to expand reducing internal distress and cracking.
Improved Workability and Cohesion: Air entrained concrete improves the workability of the mix, easier to handle, place and finish. Reduces segregation and bleeding for a more uniform and stable concrete.
Durability Against Salt Scaling and Thaw Cycles: Concrete exposed to deicing salts and harsh freeze-thaw conditions benefits from air entrainment, which helps guard against surface scaling and deeper damage.
Air in concrete affects the following properties:
Compressive Strength: A moderate loss of strength with increasing air content but the gain in durability compensates for it.
Density and Permeability: Entrained air reduces the density of concrete and increases its porosity which affects thermal and acoustic properties.
Resistance to Damage: Air-entrained concrete is highly resilient against environmental stresses, particularly in freeze-thaw conditions.
ASTM standards specifically ASTM C231 requires the testing of air content in concrete using a concrete air meter. This ensures consistency and repeatability in testing and provides a basis for evaluating the durability and quality of concrete mix and air entraining admixture.
The concrete air meter kit is essential for producing durable, high-quality concrete that can endure harsh environments. By accurately measuring and managing air content, the construction industry can enhance the longevity and structural integrity of concrete installations globally. This tool not only elevates construction quality but also advances concrete science by delivering precise, repeatable, and reliable data for research purposes.
In the concrete technology world, air voids, air pockets and entrained air are key players in determining the durability and workability of concrete. Introducing a controlled amount of air into concrete using an air-entraining agent significantly alters its material properties, particularly under freeze-thaw conditions. This article will explain how these tiny air bubbles, intentionally added to the concrete mix, impact its performance.
Air entrainment in concrete involves deliberately introducing tiny air bubbles into the mix through air-entraining agents or admixtures. These agents lower the surface tension of the mixing water, enabling more air to be captured as microscopic bubbles within the concrete. It’s not merely about adding air; it's about establishing a stable system of evenly distributed air voids that can endure both the mechanical stresses of handling and the environmental challenges of moisture and temperature.
Some of the questions about air entrainment is the science behind the test. The main purpose of entraining air is to improve the concrete’s resistance to damage caused by freeze-thaw. During these cycles any water or trapped air in the concrete expands upon freezing and exerts internal pressure that can cause cracking and other forms of structural damage. The air voids in air entrained concrete provides small expansion chambers for the freezing water to expand into thus reducing internal pressure and prevent the concrete air meters.
A general rule of thumb in most concrete designed for freeze-thaw condition is to have 5 to 8% air content per cubic foot of concrete. This specific percentage ensures durability without affecting the compressive strength.
Increased Freeze-Thaw Resistance: Air-entrained concrete offers enhanced resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, making it essential for use in cold climates and regions where de-icing is necessary.
Better Workability: The air bubbles in the mix improves the workability of the concrete, making it easier to mix, place and finish. This is very useful in complex formworks or when pumping concrete to heights.
Reduced Segregation and Bleeding: By stabilizing the distribution of aggregate and cement particles in the mix, entrained air reduces the tendency of the heavier aggregates to settle thus decreasing bleeding and segregation.
Increased Durability: Beyond freeze-thaw damage, air entrained concrete is less prone to other durability issues like alkali-silica reactions and sulfate attack because of the cushioning effect of the air voids that reduces stress concentration.
Air entrainment must be controlled to achieve the desired results. The small amount of air entraining agent added to the mix depends on the cement content, aggregate size and environmental conditions. Proper mixing technique is crucial to disperse the agent uniformly throughout the batch to form air bubbles of the desired size and distribution.
While air entrainment has many benefits it also has several challenges to be managed:
Reduced Compressive Strength: Introducing air into concrete reduces its overall density and thus its compressive strength. This must be compensated by adjusting the concrete mix design especially in structural applications.
Consistency in Air Content: Achieving the right air content requires precise control over the batching and mixing process as fluctuations in material proportions or mixing time can result to inconsistent air content and affect the performance.
Air-entraining admixture is a crucial technology in modern concrete construction, particularly in regions with harsh weather conditions. It involves engineering to find the right balance between enhancing durability and workability while managing strength reductions. When used correctly, air entrainment leads to concrete structures that are more durable, easier to handle, and better equipped to endure environmental challenges. Mastering the application of air entrainment is essential for any construction project aimed at achieving longevity and resilience.
Air entrainment is a crucial aspect of contemporary concrete technology, particularly for enhancing the durability and workability of air-entrained concrete. The presence of entrained air, air-entraining admixtures, and air bubbles within hardened concrete significantly contributes to protecting it from environmental stress and enhancing its performance. This overview will discuss the principles of air entrainment, the application of air-entraining admixtures, the characteristics of hardened concrete containing entrained air, and the methods for testing and quantifying air content in air-entrained concrete.
Concrete air entrainment involves adding tiny air bubbles to the concrete mix, which enhances its durability.
Entrained air, or trapped air, consists of tiny bubbles intentionally added to the concrete mix during the mixing process. These bubbles, measuring less than 1 mm in diameter, are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The primary purpose of incorporating entrained air into concrete is to enhance its resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, thereby improving its durability in colder climates prone to freezing.
Air-entraining admixtures are chemicals incorporated into concrete mixes to create entrained air. These surfactants lower the mix's surface tension, allowing for the formation of stable air bubbles. Common air-entraining agents include natural wood resins, vinsol resin, fatty acids, and synthetic detergents. It's crucial to carefully control the dosage of these agents to achieve the target air content, typically ranging from 4% to 7% of the concrete volume, depending on exposure conditions and project requirements.
In hardened concrete, the presence of entrained air bubbles gives the following benefits:
Increased Durability: The air bubbles act as internal reservoirs to accommodate the expansion of water upon freezing thus relieving internal pressure and preventing cracking.
Improved Workability: Entrained air improves the workability of fresh concrete making it easier to mix, place and finish.
Enhanced Resistance to Scaling and Deterioration: By providing voids for water expansion the air bubbles help prevent scaling and deterioration due to deicing chemicals or freeze-thaw cycles.
Reduced Permeability: While the direct influence on permeability is intricate, the overall effect of entrained air can lead to decreased penetration of water and chloride ions.
To ensure the quality and durability of concrete it’s important to measure the air content and several methods have been developed for this purpose:
Pressure Meter Method: This is the most widely used method for field testing. It entails placing a fresh concrete sample in a sealed container with a known air volume. The container is then pressurized, and the pressure change is used to determine the air content. This method is quick and reliable.
Volumetric Method: This method is used when lightweight aggregate concretes or air content below 3% are involved. Concrete is mixed with water in a calibrated container and the volume of air is measured by observing the change in water level.
A volumetric air meter designed for measuring entrained air in concrete is very efficient and durable. It’s lightweight, leak proof and complies with ASTM standards making it a reliable choice for accurate air contents.
Gravimetric Method: Although less common this method involves measuring the specific gravity of the concrete and using this value to calculate the air content.
Several factors can affect the effectiveness of air entrainment in concrete:
Water-Cement Ratio: Higher water-cement ratio can dilute the concentration of air-entraining admixture and reduce its effectiveness.
Temperature: Colder temperature increases the viscosity of the mix and can reduce the air entraining admixture’s ability to form stable bubbles.
Mixing Time and Intensity: Insufficient mixing can not distribute the air bubbles uniformly while excessive mixing can break them down.
Type of Cement: The chemical composition of cement can affect the stability of air bubbles. Cements that contain high levels of alkali can diminish the effectiveness of certain air-entraining agents.
While air entrainment has many benefits controlling the exact amount of entrained air requires precise management of the concrete mix and conditions. Over-entrainment can result to decrease in strength and increase in bleeding while under-entrainment may not provide sufficient protection against freeze-thaw damage.
Entrained air and air-entraining admixtures are crucial for concrete, particularly in freeze-thaw conditions. Proper application and testing of entrained air significantly influence the durability, workability, and overall quality of concrete structures. As technology and materials advance, so too will the techniques and practices for air entrainment in concrete to meet evolving demands.
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