Cement

Mixing, moulding, curing and strength 39

Mixing

The results of strength testing of cement and other

materials such as Lime and Fly Ash are dependent on the
method and the quality of equipment used. A standard
system for strength testing is based on compressive strength
of mortar prisms.

In the USA, ASTM C109 and C190 are the definitive methods for
determining compressive and tensile strength.The BS 4550 method
using either 70.7 mm or 100 mm cubes has been retained in the
UK only for comparative purposes. EN196-1 is now the definitive
method.

The results of strength testing are dependent not only on method

but also on the quality and accuracy of the testing machine used to
determine compressive or flexural strength.

The correct mixing sequence and homogenity of mix is important

if consistent, repeatable test results are to be obtained. Mixers
should be powerful enough to ensure that the motor’s speed is
not affected by the mix constituents; so designed as to ensure that
the mixer action and blade does not break down individual sand
particles and preferably provide automatic mixing cycles.

Automatic/Manual 5 litre nominal

capacity Mortar Mixer
BS 3892-1, 3892-3, 6463-103, 4551-1, ISO 679, EN 196-1,
196-3, 413-2, 459-2, 1744-1, 13279-2, 1015-2, 13395-
1,13454-2

■ Microprocessor control
■ Choice of automatic mixing cycles
■ Sand and water dispenser options

This mixer is designed to mix mortars and cement pastes to the

requirements of the above standards.The mixing paddle has a
EL39-0031/01 Automatic/Manual 5 litre (nominal) Mortar Mixer with
planetary motion and is driven by a motor with a microprocessor Accessories
based speed and program controller.The mixer can be operated
either in an automatic or manual mode. When the mixer is used in Accessories
the manual mode, the two mixing speeds can be changed by
EL39-0031/12 Water Dispenser comprising a pipette
means of a rocker switch, without switching off the motor. In the
and mounting bracket. Dispenses water in
automatic mode any one of the pre-set mixing programmes may
to the mixing bowl to an accuracy of
be selected.
±1 ml. Weight 900 g

Specification EL39-0051/01 Automatic Sand Dispenser. Thirty

seconds after start of the mixing sequence
Dimensions (l x w x h) 530 x 350 x 580 mm sand is automatically discharged into the
Speeds (rpm) Paddle Mixing Head mixing bowl.The dispenser is designed to
Low 140 ±5 62 ±5 allow for a discharge time of approximately
High 285 ±10 125 ±10 30 seconds. Only for use with
EL39-0031/01 Mixers, power is supplied
Rated power 180 W from the mixer. Weight 5 kg
Bowl capacity 5 litres (approx)
EL39-0060 Bowl Cover
Weight 54 kg
EL39-0065 Scraper plastic 200 mm long. Pack of 5

Ordering Information
EL39-0031/01 Spares
Automatic/Manual 5 litre nominal capacity Mortar Mixer EL39-0031/10 Paddle, stainless steel complies with EN
Complete with bowl and paddle. 196
For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz, 1 ph EL39-0031/11 Bowl, stainless steel complies with EN
196. 5 litre capacity (approx)

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 39 Cement
Mixing, moulding, curing and strength

Moulding of 70.7 mm Mortar Cubes

Moulding BS 4550

The successful preparation and moulding of prisms, cubes The method utilises a purpose built vibrating machine and requires
and briquettes is essential if subsequent strength tests on each cube to be vibrated according to a strictly controlled
the specimens are to be meaningful. Moulds should be programme at a frequency of 12000 cycles per minute.
manufactured from material which is capable of retaining
its form under heavy usage.The equipment detailed in this
EL39-0200/01 Vibrating Machine with EL39-0100 Cube Mould
section has been designed and manufactured to meet the
requirements for moulding laid down in the various
standards.

Moulding of Prisms (40.1 x 40 x 160 mm)

BS 3892-1, 4551-1, EN 196-1, 413-2, 459-2, 1744-1,
1015-10,11, ISO 679 EN 13454-2.

Two methods of moulding and compaction are used in the various

testing standards.The jolting table method is usually described as
the reference method and a vibratory table method is permitted
as an alternative.

Jolting Table
This machine consists of a mould table seated on a rotating cam
driven at 60 revolutions per minute. The apparatus is supplied
with mains switch box, push button start/stop control, and
automatic stop control at end of test.

Ordering Information
EL39-1150/01
Jolting Table supplied without moulds. Weight 55 kg
For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph.
Ordering Information
EL39-1100
Three-gang Mould for 40.1 x 40 x 160 mm mortar prisms.This EL39-0100
mould is manufactured to a very high specification. Supplied with 70.7 mm Cube Mould manufactured from steel to dimensions
glass plate. Weight 12.2 kg specified in the relevant British Standard. Supplied complete with
baseplate. Three moulds required for each test. Weight 2.9 kg
Spare
EL39-0200/01
EL39-1100/10 Glass Plate. Spare plate for prism moulds. Vibrating Machine for 70.7 mm cube moulds.The mould is
mounted on a vibration platform with an eccentric mechanism.The
EL39-1120 machine is supplied complete with drive cover, time switch and a
Feeding Hopper for EL39-1100 Mould. starter control mounted on a rigid steel frame. Supplied without
cube moulds. Weight 100 kg
EL39-1130 For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph.
Scraper double-ended, used for spreading and levelling mortar in
mould.

EL39-1170
Mortar Sand. Graded pack for 3 prisms. 1350 g pack. EL39-1100 Three-gang Mould

EL39-1150/01 Jolting Table

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 Cement
Mixing, moulding, curing and strength 39
Moulding of 50 mm and 100 mm
Specimens Curing
BS 1881-131; ASTM C109
Prior to testing, EN 196 requires prisms to be cured for a
period of at least 24 hours at 20 ±1ºC, 90 % RH minimum.
Ordering Information The prisms are then demoulded and stored under water for
EL39-0410 the required curing time, usually 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 and
Three-gang Mould for 50 mm mortar cubes. Manufactured 28 days.
from cast iron with simple cube release mechanism. Weight 6.5 kg
Humidity Cabinet
100 mm Cube Mould see EL34-4520 BS 3892-1, EN 196-1 459-2
Standard Sand see Laboratory
The Humidity Cabinet is built to a high specification and is
Equipment Section
designed for the early curing of mortar prisms prior to storing
under water.The cabinet incorporates a circular chart recorder to
EL39-0410 Three-gang Mould record temperature and humidity levels. Relative humidity up to
98% RH is generated by air blowing across the surface of water or
salt solution.

Specification
Capacity 320 Litres
Dimensions External 660 x 635 x 1745 mm
(l x w x h) Internal 490 x 510 x 1275 mm
Temperature range +5.0°C to +60°C
Fluctuation (better than) ± 0.2ºC
Variation (better than) ± 0.5ºC
Recorder Circular chart type 7 day
Temperature 0 – 50ºC
Humidity 0 – 100% RH
Rated power 850 Watt
Number of shelves 10
Weight 151 kg
Moulding of Mortar Briquettes
ASTM C307 Ordering Information
EL39-1300/01
Ordering Information Humidity Cabinet. For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph
EL39-1000
Briquette Mould manufactured to the dimensions in the Spare
relevant specification.Two part construction, supplied complete EL39-1300/10 Replacement Circular Charts
with baseplate. Weight 1.3 kg EL39-1300/01 Humidity Cabinet with Accessories

EL39-1000 Briquette Mould

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 39 Cement
Mixing, moulding, curing and strength

ADR-Auto 250 Micro-processor Control Specification

Compression Machine Measurement units kN, lbf or kgf - selectable
BS 3892-1, 4551-1, EN 196-1, 459-2, 1744-1, 1015-11,
Accuracy Better than ±1% over calibrated range
13454-2; ASTM C109, AS2350
Display Backlit LCD 105 x 31 mm (w x h)
■ 250 kN maximum capacity Maximum load Held until reset
■ Calibration accuracy to BS EN ISO 7500-1; Output Serial RS 232C
ASTM E4
■ Automatic loading cycle Accessories
■ Optional 25 kN low capacity frame Compression Frame Jig Assembly
see EL39-5600
■ Tests a wide variety of specimen sizes
Platen Sets see EL39-5600/10
■ Tests mortar, lime, cement and Fly Ash EL39-5600/11
■ Supplied with Windows download software as and EL39-5600/12
standard Flexural Frame Jig Assembly
see EL39-6160
The new ADR-Auto 250 Machine provides consistent automatic
testing of a wide range of specimens.The machine uses a standard Printer see EL39-4859
ELE 250 kN load frame and ADR-Auto power pack which
incorporates a number of features from the ELE AutoTest Control
System. EL39-6155/01 ADR-Auto 250/25 Mortar Compression Machine
with Accessories
As standard the machine is supplied with platen fitted to the load
frame, which is designed to accept a range of jig assemblies and
distance pieces which must be ordered separately to suit the
sample dimensions.The test capability of the machine can be
extended by the use of an optional 25 kN load frame for low
strength compression or flexural testing.

The automatic loading cycle is controlled by a closed-loop micro-

processor hydraulic system.This is incorporated with the display in
the extended power pack attached to the load frame. A serial
output port is built into the system, enabling test data to be stored
in memory (up to 500 test results) for subsequent downloading to
PC or suitable printer.

Ordering Information
EL39-6150/01
ADR-Auto 250 Compression Machine 250 kN capacity,
supplied with safety gates and distance piece for standard jig
assemblies.
For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph

EL39-6155/01
ADR-Auto 250/25 Compression Machine 250/25 kN
capacity, supplied as EL39-6150 with 25 kN capacity frame fitted.
For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph

Specification
ADR-Auto 250 ADR-Auto 250/25
Overall dimensions (mm) 520 x 850 x 1255 520 x 850 x 1255
(l x w x h)
250 kN frame
Max vertical clearance 230 mm 230 mm
Max horizontal clearance 225 mm 225 mm
Upper and lower platens 150 mm diameter 150 mm diameter
25 kN frame
Max vertical clearance — 230 mm
Max horizontal clearance 160 mm
Upper and lower platens — 150 mm diameter
Max ram travel 15 mm 15 mm
Rated power 1600 W 1600 W
Weight 640 kg 700 kg

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 Cement
Mixing, moulding, curing and strength 39
Compression Frame Jig Assembly
BS 3892-1, EN 196-1, 459-2, 1015-11, EN 13454-2;
ASTM C109

This jig assembly is designed for the compression testing of

40 x 40 x 160 mm mortar prisms after breaking in flexure, also for
the testing of 50 mm and 2 in square mortar cubes using the
appropriate platens.

The frame is fitted with a spherical ball seating assembly to which is

attached the upper platen.

Ordering Information
EL39-5600
Compression Frame Jig Assembly supplied without platens.
Weight 10.7 kg

Accessories
EL39-5600/10 40 mm square Platen Set complies
with BS 3892-1, EN 196-1, 459-2, 1015-11, EL39-5600 Compression Frame Jig Assembly with Accessories
13454-2. Weight 1.2 kg
EL39-5600/11 2 in square Platen Set complies with 10 kN Flexural/Tensile
ASTM C109. Weight 1.2 kg Testing Machine
EL39-5600/12 50 mm square Platen Set complies EN196-1
with ASTM C109. Weight 1.2 kg
This single lever machine is designed for flexural tests on
40 x 40 x 160 mm mortar prisms and tensile tests on mortar
Flexural Jig Assembly briquettes.The rate of applied loading for flexural testing is to
BS 4551-1, EN 196-1, 1015-11, 13454-2 EN196-1. Load is applied by a weight travelling along the beam at a
constant rate, driven by a motor/gearbox. Readings are made by
This jig is designed for the flexural testing of 40 x 40 x 160 mm means of a cursor visible through a window in the moving weight.
mortar prisms. Failure of a specimen triggers a switch mechanism and brings the
weight to a halt immediately.
Ordering Information
To prevent overloading, a sensor is incorporated in the weight and
EL39-6160 automatically stops the machine at its maximum capacity of 10 kN.
Flexural Jig Assembly. Weight 12 kg Supplied without flexural or tensile jaws.

Ordering Information
EL39-7100/01
10-kN Flexural/Tensile Testing Machine. Weight 50 kg
For 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz, 1 ph

EL39-7100/10
Flexural Jaws to accept 40 x 40 x 160mm mortar prisms.
Weight 2.5 kg

EL39-7100/15
Tensile Jaws for tensile loading of mortar briquettes.
Weight 2.5 kg

EL39-7100 series 10 kN Flexural/Tensile Test Machine

EL39-6160 Flexural Jig Assembly

EL39-7100/15 Tensile Jaws

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