Product Manual TM – 049 L-BOX Apparatus

EIE Instruments Pvt Ltd

www.eieinstruments.in

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Organization’s ISO 9001:2008 Certificate

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 Forward

Dear valued customer,

We just want to take a moment out to thank you for your keen interest in our company products. We
greatly appreciate your business and the opportunity you provided us to assist you. You have joined a
selected group of customers who have switched to the technologically superior and quality enhanced
laboratory testing product.

Time has changed, so do the technology. Your purchase lists you on the cutting edge of 21st century
technology. The attached test report is an excellent way of expressing and maintaining your trust in EIE’s
- superior quality testing products. Our continued efforts and commitment is to provide you efficient
sales after services, prompt attention and highest level of customer satisfaction. If for any reasons, you
have questions or comments, we are delighted to hear from you. Call us on 0091-79-66040601 or send
us email at info@eieinstruments.com. You can expect us to respond to your email within 24 working
hours.

Once again, thank you for your trust and kind patronage. We look forward to serve you better in future.

Yours sincerely,
EIE Instruments

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 Table of contents

Organization’s ISO 9001:2008 Certificate ............................................................................... 2

Forward ................................................................................................................................ 3

Table of contents................................................................................................................... 4

1. What is SCC (Self Consolidating Concrete) ? ................................................................ 5

2. Advantages of SCC (Self Consolidating Concrete) ........................................................ 5

3. Requirements for Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) ................................................... 6

4. Introduction to L-BOX Apparatus ................................................................................ 7

4.1 List of test instruments to carry out L-BOX test ...........................................................7

4.2 Test procedure...........................................................................................................8
4.3 Interpretation of result ..............................................................................................8
5. Delivery and Uncrating the instrument ....................................................................... 9

6. How to make instrument ready for the use? ............................................................... 9

7. Warranty Certificate ................................................................................................. 10

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1. What is SCC (Self Consolidating Concrete) ?

Self-Consolidating Concrete has properties that differ considerably from conventional slump concrete.
SCC is highly workable concrete that can flow through densely reinforced and complex structural
elements under its own weight and adequately fill all voids without segregation, excessive bleeding,
excessive air migration (air-popping), or other separation of materials, and without the need for
vibration or other mechanical consolidation.

The key to creating self-consolidating concrete (SCC), also referred to as self-compacting, self-leveling,
or self-placing concrete, is a mixture that is fluid, but also, stable, to prevent segregation.

2. Advantages of SCC (Self Consolidating Concrete)

The use of SCC in actual structure has steadily increased in the recent years and presents an excellent
alternative to conventional concrete for high density or intricate reinforced sections and placement in
narrow molds. SCC can also be pumped from bottom of a form or dropped from the top with a
recommended maximum fall height of 6 feet.

In general SCC provides following advantages over conventional concrete:

• Simple placement in complicated framework and tight reinforcement

• Reduced construction time, especially at large construction sites (due to no compaction work)
• Reduced noise pollution (since vibrators are not necessary)
• Higher and more homogeneous concrete quality across the entire concrete cross section,
especially around the reinforcement
• Concreting deep element in single lifts
• Improved concrete surfaces and nice finishing
• Typically higher early strength of the concrete
• Higher moisture retention may aid curing

The highly fluid nature of SCC makes it suitable for placing in difficult conditions and in sections with
congested reinforcement. Use of SCC can also help minimize hearing-related damages on the worksite
that are induced by vibration of concrete. Another advantage of SCC is that the time required to place
large sections is considerably reduced.

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With above stated advantages, SCC usage is increasing day by day across the globe particularly for
precast concrete construction. Many agencies across the world have shown interest and are working
towards developing tests, specifications and finally adopting this type of concrete. The future is
immense for SCC.

3. Requirements for Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)

SCC must possess following three characteristics to meet its stated workability requirements
1) Filling ability
The ability of SCC to flow into and fill all spaces completely within the framework under its own
weight
2) Passing ability
The ability of SCC to flow through tight openings such as between reinforcing rebars without
segregation or blocking
3) Segregation resistance
The ability of SCC to remain homogeneous during its transportation and placement is known as
segregation resistance of SCC.
Below is the list of test methods for workability properties of SCC that has been employed in the past.
The test equipments and test methods have been employed by many researchers and agencies to
investigate SCC thoroughly with and utmost success and experience.

Test Equipment Property Measured

Slump flow Filling ability
T50 Slump flow Filling ability
J-Ring Passing ability
V-Funnel Filling ability
V-Funnel at T5 minutes Segregation resistance
L-Box Passing ability
U-Box Passing ability
Fill-Box Passing ability
GTM Screen stability test Segregation resistance
Orimet Filling ability

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Out of above test instruments, we will study about the L-BOX apparatus in this instruction manual.

4. Introduction to L-BOX Apparatus

This test, based on a Japanese design for underwater concrete, has been described by Petersson. The
test assesses the flow of the concrete, and also the extent to which it is subject to blocking by
reinforcement.

The apparatus consists of a rectangular-section box in the shape of an ‘L’, with a vertical and horizontal
section, separated by a moveable gate, in front of which vertical lengths of reinforcement bar are fitted.
The vertical section is filled with concrete, and then the gate lifted to let the concrete flow into the
horizontal section. When the flow has stopped, the height of the concrete at the end of the horizontal
section is expressed as a proportion of that remaining in the vertical section (H2/H1in the diagram). It
indicates the slope of the concrete when at rest. This is an indication passing ability, or the degree to
which the passage of concrete through the bars is restricted.

The horizontal section of the box can be marked at 200mm and 400mm from the gate and the times
taken to reach these points measured. These are known as the T20 and T40 times and are an indication
for the filling ability.

The sections of bar can be of different diameters and spaced at different intervals: in accordance with
normal reinforcement considerations, 3x the maximum aggregate size might be appropriate. The bars
can principally be set at any spacing to impose a more or less severe test of the passing ability of the
concrete.

4.1 List of test instruments to carry out L-BOX test

• L-BOX made of a stiff non absorbing material

• Trowel for wetting the inner surface of the V-funnel.
• scoop
• stopwatch with the accuracy of 0.1 second for recording the flow time
• Straightedge for levelling the concrete.

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4.2 Test procedure

1) About 14 litre of concrete is needed to perform the test, sampled normally.

2) Set the apparatus level on firm ground, ensure that the sliding gate can open freely and then
close it.
3) Moisten the inside surfaces of the apparatus, remove any surplus water.
4) Fill the vertical section of the apparatus with the concrete sample.
5) Leave it to stand for 1 minute.
6) Lift the sliding gate and allow the concrete to flow out into the horizontal section.
7) Simultaneously, start the stopwatch and record the times taken for the concrete to reach the
200 and 400 mm marks.
8) When the concrete stops flowing, the distances “H1” and “H2” are measured.
9) Calculate H2/H1, the blocking ratio.
10) The whole test has to be performed within 5 minutes.

4.3 Interpretation of result

If the concrete flows as freely as water, at rest it will be horizontal, so rationH2/H1 = 1. Therefore, the
nearer to this test value, the ‘blocking ratio’, is to unity, the better the flow of the concrete. The EU
research team suggested a minimum acceptable value of 0.8. T20 and T40 times can give some
indication of ease of flow, but no suitable values have been generally agreed. Obvious blocking of coarse
aggregate behind the reinforcing bars can be detected visually.

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5. Delivery and Uncrating the instrument

1) Inspect equipment and shipping crate immediately upon receipt. If any damage is apparent,
immediately discuss it with the delivery person and contact the transportation company
immediately. Make notes of any damages on the bill of landing.
2) Retain all shipping material for later inspection.
3) Check packing slip carefully and ensure all materials have been received as indicated in the packing
slip.
4) Due to the vibration incurred during shipping and handling, it is possible that mechanical connection
could become loose. Inspect all connection to ensure that they are secure.
5) Instrument is supplied in enclosed wooden case. Unpack the wooden case, locate and count the
number of accessories and main working unit according to corresponding packing-slip to assure
everything has been received.
6) Remove packing strip from surroundings of the instrument and all its accessories. Please inspect
and note whether any part of the instrument is damaged or any accessory is missing according to
packing slip? If it is so, then immediately make note of it and report to the manufacturer.
7) After visual inspection, if everything is found to be okay, transit the instrument to suitable safe place
where it is intended to install. Caution : Heavy weight, protect yourself first. Handle with care.
8) Recycle the packing material.

6. How to make instrument ready for the use?

1) Place the equipment on a plain, even and sturdy surface leaving 5-6” space away from the wall.
2) Do not install unit in a corrosive environment. A corrosive environment may lead to poor
performance and deterioration of unit.
3) Check the electrical specifications label located on the equipment. Make sure the power
specifications must confirm to your local standard.
4) Plug the power cord into a properly grounded outlet.

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7. Warranty Certificate

Your EIE product is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one ( 1 ) year
under normal use from the date of purchase. This WARRNATY does not apply to any product damaged
by accident, misuse, mishandling, abuse, negligence, transit, improper line voltage, drop, fire, flood or if
the products were altered or repaired by anyone other than the qualified service personnel.

The liability of EIE Instruments is limited to repair or replacement and under no circumstances shall EIE
be liable for any collateral consequential damages or loss. This guarantee specifically excludes the
expendables and consumables. All warranty claims must be directed to your corresponding purchase
organization that is responsible for the sale of this equipment. The users are responsible for shipping
expense. The warranty cards which are not signed and stamped by the actual user will be treated as
void. The warranty card should accompany the defective products sent for repair, without which no
claims would be entertained. Please detach the below warranty card from following cut-line.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name of the company : _______________________________________________________________

Address :________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Telephone no :________________________________________________________________
Mobile no :________________________________________________________________
Email address :________________________________________________________________
Date of purchase :________________________________________________________________
Product model :________________________________________________________________
Serial no :________________________________________________________________
Bill or cash memo no :________________________________________________________________

This card should be detached, filled in properly and posted within 15 days from the date of purchase
otherwise the warranty becomes invalid.

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EIE Instruments (Factory Address) Email : info@eieinstruments.com
B-14,15,16, Zaveri Industrial Estate, Phone : 0091-79-66040660
Opp. Shyam Villa Society, Near Sarswati Vidhyalaya, Fax : 0091-79-66040600
Kathawada GIDC Road, Off National Highway,
Kathawada, Ahmedabad 382430

Testing Equipment For Concrete Industries

EIE Instruments Pvt Ltd

www.eieinstruments.com

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