Concrete is one of the most used materials in the construction industry. Several variables contribute to define the quality of the concrete utilized for a structure: workability, consistency, setting time and air content are only few examples.
Matest offers a wide range of testing equipment and high stiffness compression machines (manual, semi automatic or automatic) which allow to test concrete cubes, cylinders and blocks and satisfy the EN and other International Standards. Each machine has its own kN capacity and control unit to perform tests on materials with different strength and composition.
EN Standard – High Stability Compression Machines
The compression testing machines tested for high stability meet the stringent requirements of the: EN 12390-4 | BS 1881:115 | DIN 51220 | UNI 6686, part 3 | NF P18-411 | UNE 83304 | ASTM C39 | AASHTO T22
These four columns prestressed frames are manufactured with specific quality features (processing, tolerances), piston/cylinder group, spherical seat, compression platens, distance pieces etc., conforming and meeting the high stability verification (force distribution).
The conformity of the stability is certified with the verification of the self-alignment (foot-meter test) of the machines components and the restraint on movement of the upper spherical seat/platen, by using a special electric strain load column at 5 measuring points which is connected to its suitable datalogger.
The most important feature of the high stability frames is their uniform distribution of the applied load on all the specimen surface under test. The sample breakage is satisfactory and the strength results are correct, high and true.
ASTM Standard – Compression Machines
Four columns prestressed frame machines for production routine tests, designed to be in compliance with the ASTM standards.
The requirements respected are: ASTM C39 | BS 1610 | NF P18-411 | AASHTO T22Main features include:
- Compression platens are surface hardened over 55 HRC and rectified.
- Device to check piston’s excursion during test.
- The columns are prestressed to provide a very high rigidity.
- Piston having 50 mm stroke and cylinder are coupled with high quality packing set.
- The tank has an oil level and oil discharge.
- Dial speed selector to display, pre-select and control oil flow.
- Multipiston power pump assuring continuity of delivery.
- Fast approach ram device to avoid dead times.
- Ball seating is accurately machined.
All the machines are divided by their capability and their load measuring system.
Control Systems
Five different solutions in order to provide a wide choice of control systems:
- Analogical: one or two Bourdon tube type gauges. They include max. load pointer, zero adjustment and mirror face to avoid parallax errors.
- Digitec: semi-automatic system with two analog channels for the acquisition, display and processing of test data.
- Autotec: automatic servo-controlled system, to provide fully automatic tests throughout all phases, with the support of the Digitec electronic technology.
- Cyber-Plus Evolution: semi-automatic system with eight analog channels system, provided with a touch-screen colour display to easy control each part of the test.
- Servo-Plus Evolution: automatic servo-controlled system, with the support of the Cyber-Plus Evolution electronic technology.
Combined Frames
All motorized compression testing machines can be upgraded with an hydraulic two ways distribution valve in order to connect and alternatively control a second frame, like flexural or cement compression frame.
The hydraulic two ways distribution valve may activate the standard frame or the second combined frame by using only one hydraulic pressure source. The load of the second combined frame is measured by using one of the control unit channels connected to the specific pressure transducer fixed on the second frame.The additional combined frame is supplied complete with a hydraulic two way distribution valve, specific pressure transducer connected to one channel of the digital readout unit, pipes, connectors, accessories, Matest calibration certificate.
Elastic Modulus Determination
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM WITH GRADIENT CONTROL ALSO DOWN
It can be used with a MATEST high stability frame 2000 or 3000 or 5000 kN capacity, coupled to the automatic servo-controlled system “Servo-Plus Evolution” (mod. C104N) housed in a separate pyramidal frame. The appliance includes:
Hydraulic system
It is an hydraulic installation and has a high performance valve directly controlled by the digital unit that grants the automatic control of the pace rate increasing the load, keeps a certain load and than controls the pace rate decreasing the load.
Electronic measuring system
The high performance control and data processing unit controlled by a 32 bit microprocessor, can manage up to 8 high resolution channels for the control of load cells or transducers with strain gages bridge.
Data acquisition and processing UTMII software – License for elastic modulus on concrete
The software has been developed on the working line of the software UTMII (Windows menu). It contains the profiles of the main Standards used, but the user can modify as he likes and personalize the test profile that will be carried out in a completely automatic way by the testing machine.The software allows to determine both the initial and stabilized secant modulus of elasticity as requested by EN 12390-13 Standard.
Flexure Texting Machines
These frames are designed to give costumers suitable solutions for several different situations.
One of the most important difference between the available frames is the distance between columns and the maximum vertical daylight, both parameters which define the available space for lodging specimens of different dimensions in the machine. Another fundamental feature is the structure of the machine, which can be chosen depending on the needs in terms of machine stiffness or practical reason.
Main features:
- Motorized or hand operated models
- Gauge load measuring system
- Digitec or Cyber-Plus Evolution graphic display unit
- Autotec or Servo-Plus Evolution servo-controlled automatic system
- Stand-alone frame, or combined to another frame
- Possibility of two-point loading or centre-point loading by simply removing one upper roller and placing the other in the centre
- Graduated scales to get easy rollers adjustment
- Rollers are hardened, case hardened and rectified
Test on Fibre Reinforced / Sprayed Concrete
In order to improve concrete performance in the plastic state, macrofibers are added to the concrete mix to increase the post-crack bending strength. This process improves the capacity of the material to absorb energy after cracking (toughness property).
There are basically two test methods of the American Society of Materials Testing (ASTM) for evaluating the toughness of fiber-reinforced concrete: ASTM C1609 for beams and ASTM C1550 for round panels.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) proposes the method EN 14651 for beam specimens and EN 14488-5 for square panels
Force Calibration
The force calibration of compression and flexural testing machines may be performed by using load cells connected to a digital tester.
These cells are used also in combination with the testing frames in order to measure the load instead of the transducer.
Concrete Specimens
PreparationA full set of machine which correct the dimension and the aspect of the specimen before the test in order to obtain reliable results.
By mechanical action (grinding or cutting) or secondary materials (neoprene) the tested surfaces are rectified, making them flat and uniform
Compaction of Concrete
These machine are designed to apply a vibration on the concrete mixture in order to compact it.
This operation is highly recommended in order to have a uniform structure, increasing several mechanical performance of the final sample/structure.
Core Drilling Machines
Thanks to the use of sturdy diamond crowns, the Matest core drilling machines allow you to drill different materials (such as concrete, rocks, bituminous surfaces, etc.) and obtain cylindrical samples that can be used to perform different types of tests (compression, evaluation of the elastic module , etc).
Matest offers different types of core drilling machines to meet multiple needs:
- Core drilling machines with petrol engine to facilitate their use in places where electricity is difficult to use
- Electric core drilling machines
- Core drilling machines that can also be used on vertical surfaces thanks to the vacuum effect
- Light and handy or more robust core drilling machines, according to their specific use
Curing Tanks / Rooms for Concrete Specimens
Series of tanks/rooms which affect the environment in which the samples will be stored.
The conditioning involve mainly water condition, temperature and relative humidity variation.
Mixers for Concrete
Used to prepare concrete specimens or mixtures, these mixers ensure a uniform, efficient and fast mixture action.
Molds for Concrete Specimens
A wide selection of moulds, different by the shape of the casted specimens, the number that can be realized and the material of which they are made.
These moulds meet a huge variety of possible request, from the strength of the cast iron to the easy-to-use plastic.
SCC Testing Apparatus
Used to investigate concrete workability features, respecting several different standards. The available equipment to measure workability aspects are:
- J-Ring apparatus
- Slump cone test
- L-Shape box
- U-Shape box
- V-funnel
- Spray test
NDT Structural Inspection and Monitoring
Non Descructive Testing. Instruments used to monitor a structure in terms of deformations, strengths and damage.
They are used for several purposes, especially in existing buildings, in order to define the conditions in which the structure is exerting its services.
Ultrasonic Testers
These instruments give data concerning the homogeneity of concrete, by generating pulses of sound into the concrete and measuring the time the sound takes to travel from the transmitter probe to the receiver probe through the material.
Rebar Cover to Reinforcement / Corrosion
Instruments used to determine the presence, position, direction, depth and diameter of steel reinforcement bars in concrete structures, together with their corrosive state.
Workability and Consistency of Fresh Concrete
A group of useful devices for the investigation of concrete fresh state features, following different test and standards.
Abrasion Tester Boheme
This instrument measures a volume loss in a specimen under abrasion test and it is used in tests such as:
- paving stones
- concrete slabs
- slabs made of natural rocks
- natural stone slabs
Bleeding of Concrete Tester
Container, having Ø 250 mm by 280 mm height, complete with cover. Stainless steel manufactured, it is used for the determination of the relative bleeding of a fresh concrete sample, using aggregates having max. size of 50 mm.
Air Entraintment Meters
Devices used to determine the percentage of air contained in a fresh concrete mixture.
Shrinkage Equipment
HYDRAULIC SHRINKAGE DETERMINATION: To measure the axial and/or superficial dimensional shrinkage of concrete specimens during hardening process in a curing room.
The specimen is prepared by a mould having dimensions 100x100x500 mm, with aggregates up to 30 mm max. diameter, and after housed in the measuring apparatus that determines the axial shrinkage.
The two UNI Standards require two different systems to prepare the
specimen:
- The UNI 11307 requires reference pins to be sticked on the specimen.
- The UNI 6555 requires inserts fixed into the mould and let into the specimen.
Restrained Expansion
Determination of restrained expansion of concrete or mortar specimens containing the expansive agent and the effects of the aggregates on the drying shrinkage of concrete.The moulds, steel made, are supplied complete with 3 screwed rods and 6 restrained plates.
Water Permeability Testers
Matest offers the possibility of testing the permeability and impermeability of cubic or cylindrical concrete specimens thanks to specific adjustable pressure equipment that is connected directly to the water supply.
The permeability test involves the use of a system that allows to collect and measure the filtered water through the concrete sample at a certain pressure value. The waterproof test allows to calculate the depth of penetration of the water inside the specimen in a predetermined period of time and at a specific pressure value.
Setting Time by Penetration
The setting time of the concrete or mortar, i.e. the time necessary to allow the mixture to harden, can be evaluated thanks to the use of an instrument equipped with a steel tip; it is inserted at a predetermined depth inside the conglomerate and returns the resistance value that characterizes the material. Depending on the type of Matest penetrometer, the resistance value can be read directly on the tip thanks to a graduated scale, or on a special dial.
Thermometers
Matest offers a wide selection of digital thermometers to measure the temperature of liquids, fluids, semisolids, granular materials and air.
Full range of ASTM, IP, NF certified thermometers for each required temperature range.
Unit Weight Measures
Matest offers a wide range of steel containers of different capacities, specially designed to measure the volume of various types of concrete and non conglomerates.
The containers are characterized by strength and durability and are treated to resist corrosion caused by the presence of water in the cement mix; moreover, they are equipped with comfortable handles that make them extremely easy to handle.
Moisture Determination
The wide range of Matest products contains, among others, devices specifically designed for determining the water content inside fresh concrete mixes (but also bitumen or asphalt) and for detecting humidity inside of solid materials of various kinds (such as hardened concrete, wood, plaster, brick) or granular materials (such as sand, gravel, earth, etc.).
Windsor HP probe digital system
To evaluate the compressive strength of concrete in place with the penetration method.
Non destructive test. It is fast, accurate and simple to perform. The five-minute test does not weaken the structure. Comparison between test results using this method and destructive tests shows a variance normally within 3% from each other. The method requires a pistol-like device which is loaded with a small explosive charge and metal probe.The charge is precisely measured to give a consistent firing force. By pulling the trigger the probe is fired into the concrete.
