The AVA-3000 allows rapid measurement of the key parameters that characterize the air-void system in fresh concrete before or during its placement. This permits better quality control and optimization of concrete performance when exposed to cyclic freezing and thawing.

A mortar sample of the air-entrained concrete is obtained from the fresh concrete with a sampling tool and injected into the blue AVA release liquid at the bottom of a riser column with water above.

The mortar sample is stirred gently into the release liquid by which the air bubbles are released and start rising through the water following Stoke’s Law: larger bubbles will rise faster than smaller bubbles. At the top of the riser column, a buoyancy pan attached to a high-precision balance measures the change in the pan’s weight caused by the rise of the air bubbles. Those changes are continuously collected over the 25-minute test and the software analyzes the information to compute the size distribution of the bubbles, the specific surface and the spacing factor.

Air-Void system in concrete.

• For rapid quality control and in-situ quality assurance testing of freeze-thaw resistant concrete
• For research purposes where knowing the size distribution of the entrained air bubbles is relevant
• For establishing relationships to durability determined by freeze-thaw tests, e.g., ASTM C666-15

• USB interface
• Measuring time = 25 min./test
• Sample size for a test = 20 mL
• Real time data acquisition (weight vs time) showed on screen
• Reports voids’ curve of size distribution and histogram for void size < 2 mm
• Algorithm calculates spacing factor and surface area in relation to ASTM C457
• Operational voltage 240 V AC
• Weight: 13.8 kg (bath tank) and 7.8 kg (base unit)
• Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 30 cm (bath tank) and 47 x 48 x 21 cm (base unit)
• Mini balance: 300 g capacity, 0.01 g resolution (0.001 g internal accuracy)
• Magnetic stirrer: 150 mNm, 4000 rpm
• 35 L bath tank with de-aerating pump and heater

AVA-3000

The AVA-3000 is delivered in two cases:

1. Aluminum case with base unit and accessories.

Item	Order #
Alumina case with pouch and foam insert	AVA-3005
Base Unit	AVA-3010
Riser Column	AVA-3020
Windshield	AVA-3022
6 mm Screws, 2 pcs	AVA-3025
Stirrer Pin, with one spare	AVA-3028
Piston	AVA-3030
Buoyancy Pan	AVA-3040
Wire Cage	AVA-3050
Vibrator	AVA-3060
Funnel	AVA-3080
Graduated Sampling Syringes, 3 pcs	AVA-3090
Brush	AVA-3130
Template with center hole	AVA-3140
USB Cord	AVA-3160
Power Cable, 110VAC  or  220VAC	AVA-3170
Rubber Suction Ball	AVA-3180
Vaseline, can	AVA-3190
Vaseline, Tube	AVA-3200
CD with AVA Literature	AVA-3210
AVA-3000 software CD	AVA-3220
AVA-3000 Manual	AVA-3230
Flashlight	AVA-3250

2. Aluminum case with water tank for de-aerating and tempering, laptop and drill machine

Item	Order #
Alumina case with foam insert	AVA-3300
Water tank with temperature regulator and stirring	AVA-3310
Power cable, 110 V or 210 V	AVA-3315
Top Lids, 2 pcs	AVA-3320
2L Containers for release liquid, 2 pcs	AVA-3330
Laptop with installed software	AVA-3340
Electric Drill, 110 V or 210 V	AVA-3350

To be ordered separately

• Technical data-sheet 
• AVA slides
• Publications

More documentation is available upon request.

• ASTM C457-16.  “Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of Parameters of the Air-Void System in Hardened Concrete”.

• EN 480-11.  “Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout – Test methods – Part 11: Determination of air void characteristics in hardened concrete”.

• ASTM C666-15. Standard Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing.