Calibration Process for Concrete Air Meter
Use the inside/outside calibration tubes with the calibration vessel to calibrate the concrete air meter. Insert the curved outside calibration tube into the petcock, then press the needle valve lever and open the petcock to fill the calibration vessel to the top. When full, open the opposite petcock so water in the tube can flow back into the base. This will leave 5% air in the base of the air meter so you can calibrate the gauge.
Meets Test Methods:
AASHTO T152 ASTM C 231
Concrete Air Meters Entrainment Test Accessories:
Tamping Rods for Slump Cone Test have hemispherical tips and are for use when consolidating concrete specimens in tests that include slump, air content and concrete strength.
Concrete Strike-Off Bar to remove excess material
Replacement Gauges in Concrete Air Meter Parts for most Type B Concrete Air Meters
Calibration Vessel for Concrete Air Meter is a must have tool to calibrate the concrete air meter. This calibration vessel is used with inside/outside calibration tubes to calibrate the air meter accurately.
To use the calibration vessel, insert the curved outside calibration tube into the petcock. Then press the needle valve lever and open the petcock to fill the calibration vessel to the top. When full, open the opposite petcock so water in the tube can flow back into the base. This will leave 5% air in the base of the air meter so you can calibrate the gauge.
Made with durable materials, the calibration vessel is built to last.
In addition to the Calibration Vessel for Concrete Air Meter, we have Concrete Air Entrainment Meters and Parts to meet various test maturity method including AASHTO T152 and ASTM C 231. All are made to test concrete air content accurately.
To go with the Concrete Air Entrainment Test we also have accessories and replacement parts. Tamping Rods for Slump Cone Test have hemispherical tips to consolidate concrete specimens in required tests. Concrete Strike-Off Bar to remove excess material for a smooth test surface. Replacement Gauges for most Type B Concrete Air Meters. Replacement Air Pump for Gilson Concrete Air Meters and other models.
For more information and articles on Concrete Air Entrainment Testing check out our blog. We have articles on why testing is important, how to measure concrete air content, how to do a concrete air test and how to get optimal concrete quality.
Choose the Calibration Vessel for Concrete Air Meter and our Concrete Air Entrainment Meters and Parts for accurate testing of concrete air content.
The Calibration
Calibration is the most important step in concrete maturity measurement. This involves comparing the readings from the concrete maturity meter to the readings from a laboratory test using a reference standard. This way you can get precise concrete maturity which is required to know the age and durability of the concrete.
The calibration involves:
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Prepare and cure concrete specimens in the laboratory under controlled conditions.
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Break test the specimens to determine the compressive strength.
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Create a maturity curve by plotting the compressive strength of the specimens vs maturity index.
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Compare the maturity curve to the readings from the concrete maturity meter.
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Adjust the calibration coefficient of the concrete maturity meter to match the maturity curve.
By following these steps carefully the calibration ensures the concrete maturity meter will give you accurate maturity readings for the concrete to predict its performance and life.
Factors Affecting Calibration Accuracy
Several factors can affect the calibration and give inaccurate results. These are:
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Changes in the Concrete Mix Design: Any changes in the concrete mix design can affect the calibration validity as different mixes have different properties.
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Temperature and Humidity: Temperature and humidity fluctuations can affect the curing process and hence the calibration.
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Concrete Sample Size and Preparation: Concrete sample size and preparation is critical in the calibration. Inconsistent sample size or improper preparation can give wrong results.
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Testing Equipment: The testing equipment must be precise and reliable. Faulty or poorly calibrated equipment can affect the calibration validity.
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Operator Error: Human error during the concrete maturity calibration can also affect the results. Proper training and following standard procedures is key to minimize this risk.
Consider these when doing the concrete maturity calibration to get accurate results.
Calibration Best Practices
Follow these:
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Use a Reference Standard: Using a reference standard to compare the readings of the concrete maturity meter ensures consistency.
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Follow a Standard Procedure: Following a standard procedure ensures uniformity and precision in the calibration.
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Use Multiple Test Samples: Using multiple test samples will give more reliable results by accounting for variability.
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Control Temperature and Humidity: Maintaining constant temperature and humidity during curing is critical for calibration.
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Check Equipment Regularly: Regular check and maintenance of the testing equipment will ensure its accuracy and precision to prevent errors.
By following these best practices the calibration can be done efficiently and accurately.
Common Issues
During calibration some common issues may arise that can affect the accuracy of the results. These are:
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Inaccurate Results: Inaccurate results can be due to changes in the concrete mix design, temperature and humidity fluctuations or operator error. Identify and address these to get accurate calibration.
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Equipment Failure: Equipment failure can be due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Regular check and timely repair is necessary to prevent this.
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Sample Preparation Issues: Sample preparation issues like inconsistent size or improper handling can give inaccurate results. Proper preparation and handling of test samples is key.
To troubleshoot these issues you need to identify the root cause and correct it. This may mean re-calibrating the equipment, re-preparing the test samples or adjusting the testing procedure. By addressing these common issues you can get accurate calibration results and get reliable concrete maturity measurements.