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IS 11993:1987 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for the use of screed board concrete vibrators. This code of practice provides guidance on the use of screed board concrete vibrators for compacting and finishing concrete surfaces like slabs and pavements. It covers the types of vibrators, operational procedures, effects on concrete properties, and essential maintenance practices.
Code of practice for the use of screed board concrete vibrators
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Cement, Concrete, Aggregates and RCC
ACI 309R-05 (Reapproved 2013)American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA
HighCurrent
Guide for Consolidation of Concrete
Provides comprehensive guidance on all methods of concrete consolidation, including a specific section on surface vibration using screeds.
ACI 302.1R-15American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA
HighCurrent
Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction
Focuses on the construction of slabs, the primary application for screed vibrators, covering placing, consolidation, and finishing.
BS EN 13670:2009British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), UK/Europe
MediumCurrent
Execution of concrete structures
A broad execution standard that includes general requirements for compaction of concrete, under which the use of screed vibrators falls.
Key Differences
≠IS 11993 is a highly specific code of practice dedicated solely to the use of screed board vibrators, whereas international equivalents like ACI 309R cover all forms of consolidation (internal, form, surface) and BS EN 13670 covers all aspects of concrete execution.
≠The Indian standard is more prescriptive, providing specific numerical ranges for parameters like forward speed (1-2 m/min). ACI guides tend to be more performance-oriented, explaining principles and advising that optimal values depend on concrete mix properties and site conditions.
≠IS 11993 explicitly states its effectiveness for slabs up to 20 cm. ACI 309R is more conservative, suggesting surface vibration alone is best for slabs up to 15 cm and should not be used for slabs over 20 cm without internal vibration.
Key Similarities
≈All standards agree on the fundamental purpose of screed vibrators: to simultaneously compact the upper layer of concrete and level the surface of slabs, pavements, and floors.
≈Both IS 11993 and ACI guides explicitly state that for thicker concrete sections (e.g., over 20 cm), surface vibration alone is insufficient and must be supplemented with internal (immersion) vibrators for proper consolidation.
≈The importance of maintaining a slow, uniform forward speed is a common principle in both the IS code and international guides to ensure thorough compaction and avoid creating surface defects or unevenness.
≈All relevant standards recognize the necessity of maintaining a surcharge of fresh concrete ahead of the screed board to provide enough material to fill voids as the aggregate settles during compaction.
What is the primary function of a screed board vibrator?+
To simultaneously level (screed) and compact the top layer of freshly placed concrete, making it suitable for large flat areas like floors and pavements.
What is the maximum depth of concrete a screed vibrator can compact?+
It is generally effective for compacting concrete up to a depth of 150 mm (Clause 5.1).
Should internal vibrators be used along with screed vibrators?+
Yes, for concrete thicknesses greater than the effective depth of the screed vibrator (150 mm), internal vibrators should be used first to compact the lower layers.