The Super Air Meter (SAM) is a testing device that measures both the air void size and air volume of plastic (fresh) concrete in about 10 minutes. When concrete contains small air bubbles then this will improve the freeze-thaw durability, reduce air loss over time, and increase the strength of concrete for a given volume of air.
This device can make almost real-time measurements of the size of the air bubbles as the concrete is being produced so that real-time changes can be made to control the size of the air bubbles. This is very useful to ensure that concrete that is freeze thaw durable is being produced. The device can also provide critical insights into how different additives or construction processes impact the size of the bubbles in the concrete mixture.
This can help reduce rejected concrete and ensure that freeze thaw durable concrete is being used.
This device can make almost real-time measurements of the size of the air bubbles as the concrete is being produced so that real-time changes can be made to control the size of the air bubbles. This is very useful to ensure that concrete that is freeze thaw durable is being produced. The device can also provide critical insights into how different additives or construction processes impact the size of the bubbles in the concrete mixture.
This can help reduce rejected concrete and ensure that freeze thaw durable concrete is being used.
Where can you find Super Air Meters?
Number of SAMs in each US state:
- 4
- 9
- 13
- 18
The use of the device is described by AASHTO TP 118. The meter is being used in 37 US States and 5 countries and is used by the FHWA Mobile Concrete Lab and Turner Fairbanks Lab.
There is also a pooled fund project to further investigate the device. You can find more information here.
We have several videos explaining how the device works and how to operate it here.