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IS 2514:1963 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for concrete vibrators, vibrating tables - specification. This standard prescribes the requirements for vibrating tables used for the compaction of concrete in laboratories and precast manufacturing. It covers standard dimensions, load capacities, motor specifications, and the mechanical characteristics of the vibrating mechanism.
Specifies requirements for vibrating tables used for compacting concrete specimens or precast units.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
General — Scaffolding, Formwork and Construction Equipment
! Ensure the vibrating table is placed on shock-absorbing mounts (like heavy-duty springs or rubber pads) to prevent vibration transmission to the structural floor.
! Molds must be rigidly clamped to the table top; loosely held molds will bounce, leading to poor compaction and potential damage.
! Over-vibration can cause segregation of the concrete mix; vibration time should be carefully monitored based on mix workability.
BS EN 12390-2:2019BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
MediumCurrent
Testing hardened concrete. Making and curing specimens for strength tests
Overlaps on performance specifications for vibrating tables used for compacting concrete test specimens.
ASTM C31 / C31M - 21ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
Overlaps on performance requirements for internal (immersion) vibrators for consolidating concrete specimens.
AS 1012.8.1:2014Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Methods of testing concrete - Method for making and curing concrete - Compression and indirect tensile test specimens
Specifies characteristics for internal vibrators and vibrating tables for specimen preparation, similar to EN and ASTM.
ISO 1920-2:2016ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
LowCurrent
Testing of concrete — Part 2: Properties of fresh concrete
Specifies vibration procedures for fresh concrete tests (e.g., density) but does not specify the vibrator's construction.
Key Differences
≠IS 2514 is a prescriptive manufacturing standard, detailing constructional aspects like motor power, materials, and dimensions. Modern international standards are performance-based, specifying outcomes like frequency and amplitude.
≠The Indian standard is a single, consolidated document for multiple vibrator types (immersion, form, table). International standards typically define vibrator requirements within the scope of a specific application, such as making test specimens (e.g., EN 12390-2).
≠IS 2514 specifies fixed minimum frequencies (e.g., 7000 vpm for internal vibrators). Modern standards often require higher frequencies (e.g., ASTM C31 requires at least 9000 vpm).
≠Verification of performance in IS 2514 is based on measuring physical parameters directly, whereas a standard like EN 12390-2 uses a functional test (a sand subsidence test) to verify the effectiveness of a vibrating table.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the fundamental purpose of mechanical vibration for consolidating concrete to remove entrapped air and achieve required density.
≈Frequency is identified as a critical performance parameter in both IS 2514 and its international counterparts, with a consensus that higher frequencies are generally required for effective consolidation.
≈The basic classification of vibrators into internal (immersion), external (form/shutter), and vibrating tables is a concept common to all frameworks, even if not covered in a single document.
≈All standards implicitly or explicitly support the principle that the vibrator's characteristics (size, frequency) must be appropriate for the concrete mix and the dimensions of the element being cast.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Frequency (Internal Vibrator)
Not less than 7000 vibrations per minute
At least 9000 vibrations per minute [150 Hz]
ASTM C31 / C31M - 21
Frequency (Vibrating Table for Specimens)
Not less than 3000 vibrations per minute
50 Hz ± 5 Hz or 60 Hz ± 5 Hz (3000 or 3600 vpm ± 300 vpm)
BS EN 12390-2:2019
Amplitude (Vibrating Table)
0.05 mm to 0.5 mm
Performance-based; verified by a sand subsidence test rather than a specified numerical range.
BS EN 12390-2:2019
Internal Vibrator Head Diameter
Specifies standard sizes from 25 mm to 100 mm.
Not specified, but must be at least 20 mm smaller than the mould diameter for test specimens.
ASTM C31 / C31M - 21
Material of Vibrating Head
Shall be of steel, suitably hardened.
Not specified; assumes material is suitable for its intended purpose and durability.
ASTM C31 / BS EN 12390-2
Motor Power Specification
Specifies motor power rating (in HP) based on vibrator head size.
Not specified; focus is on achieving performance outputs (frequency/amplitude).
ASTM C31 / BS EN 12390-2
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values3
Quick Reference Values
frequency of vibration3000 to 6000 vibrations per minute
amplitude of vibrationAdjustable, typically up to 1.5 mm
operating voltage415V 3-phase or 240V single-phase
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Sizes and Capacities of Vibrating Tables
What is the primary application of vibrating tables in construction?+
They are used for uniform compaction of concrete in molds, heavily utilized for precast concrete products and laboratory test specimens (cubes/cylinders).
What is the standard frequency required for these tables?+
The mechanism is designed to operate typically between 3000 to 6000 vibrations per minute to effectively consolidate standard concrete mixes.
Can the amplitude of the vibrating table be adjusted?+
Yes, many standard vibrating tables feature adjustable eccentric weights to vary the amplitude based on the payload and the harshness of the concrete mix.