FT_Machine_Specs_1.pdf

Specifications

TSC IIJA 8530 FT Machine

Background The Concrete and Structural Laboratory (CSL) frequently follows ASTM C666 to evaluate concrete resistance to freezing and thawing. The CSL requires a programmable freeze-thaw chamber that can repeatedly and automatically operate freezing and thawing cabinets and digitally record the temperature within the cabinet.

The CSL has an outdated freeze-thaw chamber that requires a large footprint including a large external water tank. The temperature inside the cabinet is recorded on an old circular chart recorder and the data is unavailable in a digital format.

Scope One (1) Scientemp FT20-40 freeze-thaw chamber capable of testing at least 40 standard specimens simultaneously is required. A “Standard Specimen” is considered 3-inches by 4-inches by 16-inches in size. The chamber must be able to run tests per ASTM C666 Procedure A and Procedure B.

Specifications The required specifications include:

CLIN 010 - One (1) Scientemp Model FT20-40 Freeze Thaw Cabinet

1. Freezing and Thawing Apparatus:

a. The unit must be a new, standard off-the-shelf product offered to the public. No custom-built models, discontinued models, refurbished equipment, or refurbished parts are acceptable.

b. Acquisition must comprise one unit capable of accommodating at least 40 standard concrete specimens simultaneously

i. Multiple units are not allowed

c. Maximum footprint, including controller: 70 inches wide by 95 inches long

d. Suitable chamber in which the specimens may be subjected to the specified freezing-and-thawing cycle (See Section 4)

i. ASTM C666 Procedure A – Freezing and Thawing in Water

ii. ASTM C666 Procedure B – Freezing in Air and Thawing in Water

e. Include the necessary refrigerating and heating equipment and controls to produce continuously and automatically reproducible cycles within the specified temperature requirements

f. Self-contained unit with thaw-water storage tank

g. Minimum 3-inches of insulation on all sides

h. Lid operated by an electric linear actuator

i. Shall have the ability to be manually operated if necessary

j. Shall have an emergency stop button

2. Temperature-Measuring Equipment:

a. Consist of thermometers, resistance thermometers, or thermocouples

b. Capable of measuring the temperature at various points within the specimen chamber and at the centers of control specimens to within 2 °F [1 °C].

3. Interior Chamber Configuration:

a. Chamber interior shall be made of stainless steel

b. Shall have a circulating fan for uniform air temperature

c. Except for the necessary supports, the interior shall be arranged such that each specimen shall be:

i. oriented either horizontally or vertically

ii. (Procedure A) completely surrounded by not less than 1⁄32 in. [1 mm] nor more than 1⁄8 in. [3 mm] of water at all mes while it is being subjected to freezing-and-thawing cycles

1. Rigid containers that can potentially damage specimens are not permitted

iii. (Procedure B) completely surrounded by air during the freezing phase of the cycle and by water during the thawing phase.

d. The temperature of the heat-exchanging medium shall be uniform within 6 °F [3 °C] throughout the specimen cabinet when measured at any given time

i. at any point on the surface of any specimen container for Procedure A, or

ii. on the surface of any specimen for Procedure B

iii. except during the transition between freezing and thawing and vice versa

4. Freezing and Thawing Cycle:

a. The following freezing and thawing cycle shall be pre-programmed in the controller.

i. Lower specimen temperature from 40 to 0 °F [4 to -18 °C] and raise it from 0 to

40 °F [-18 to 4 °C] in not less than 2, but nor more than 5 hours

1. The time required for the temperature at the center of any single specimen to be reduced from 37 to 3 °F [3 to -16 °C] shall be not less than one half of the length of the cooling period

2. time required for the temperature at the center of any single specimen to be raised from 3 to 37 °F [-16 to 3 °C] shall be not less than one half of the length of the heating period.

ii. Procedure A, not less than 25 % of the time shall be used for thawing

iii. Procedure B, not less than 20 % of the time shall be used for thawing.

iv. The period of transition between freezing-and-thawing phases of the cycle shall not exceed 10 minutes, except when the program is stopped for periodic removal and testing of the specimens.

b. At the end of the cooling period the temperature at the centers of the specimens shall be 0 °F [-18 °C]

i. no specimen at any time reaching a temperature lower than -3 °F [-19 °C]

c. At the end of the heating period the temperature shall be 40 °F [4 °C],

i. no specimen at any time reaching a temperature higher than 43 °F [6 °C].

d. the time required to change the temperature at the centers of any specimens from 35 to 10 °F [2 to -12 °C] shall not differ by more than one sixth of the length of the cooling period from the time required for any specimen and the time required to change the temperature at the centers of any specimens from 10 to 35 °F [-12 to 2 °C] shall not differ by more than one third of the length of the heating period from the time required for any specimen.

5. Controller:

a. Touchscreen interface

b. Capable of recording chamber and control sample temperature history using temperature monitoring devices described in Section 2.

i. Data available to export via USB

c. All hardware and software proposed for this project would need to be capable of running in an air-gapped environment (no internet connectivity)

i. all system updates need to be capable of being performed through means other than network connectivity

6. Electrical Requirements:

a. 208V; 60Hz; Three Phase; 45 amps

7. Warranty:

a. Minimum 1-year manufacturer warranty

CLIN 020 – Freeze-Thaw Plastic Sample Containers (Procedure A) – Item No. FT-Container

1. Quantity: 40

CLIN 030 – Freight & Delivery

Delivery and Payment Requirements:

Location/Shipping: Delivery shall be made, free-on-board (including Customs, if applicable), and received at the Technical Service Center in Denver, Colorado, between Monday through Thursday, 8AM to 2PM Colorado local time. Delivery must be coordinated with the COR to obtain site logistics and confirm a delivery time.

Delivery Address: Will be provided at time of award.

Date to be Delivered: Within 365 days from award.