LASER SCREED TECHNOLOGY: AN OPPORTUNITY TO

EASE IN CONSRTUCTION SECTOR

Hardik Lokhandwala1, Prof. Jayeshkumar Pitroda

2, Prof. J. J. Bhavsar

3

1Student of first year M.E (C.E & M), B.V.M Engineering College, Vallabh Vidhyanagar

2Assistant Professor and Research Scholar, Civil Engineering Department, B.V.M. Engineering

College, Vallabh Vidyanagar-Gujarat-India 3Associate Professor, P. G. Coordinator of Construction Engineering & Management, Civil Engineering

Department, B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar-Gujarat-India

1hardik.civil007@gmail.com

2jayesh.pitroda@bvmengineering.ac.in

3jaydev_2004@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: Laser screed technology exhibits the opportunity for concrete floor slabs in its

time-sensitive project and hence new standards in the regional construction industry has

established. This is the latest technology for concrete flooring. This technology reduces the

no. of joints as no form work is required in between to support the Surface Vibrators. Form

work is done only on the periphery of the panel to stop the concrete from flowing outside

panel. The Laser Screed technology offers much quicker turnaround than conventional

concrete construction saving over 400 per cent in project execution time. As an estimate, a

1,000 square meter concrete floor slab can be completed in less than 24 hours with Laser

Screed technology, while it would ideally take about three to four days in the conventional

way. This technique also requires a minimum set-up time besides extending superior quality,

safety and accuracy. On the other hand, in manual screeding, there are lots of forward

bending causes awkward torso posture, Repetitive hand/arm activity, High hand forces are

required to pull the rod to smoothen the concrete, Relatively slower than Laser screed

machine. In this study, working of laser screed technology, different types of Laser screed

machines used in construction industries, case study on this technology etc are discussed.

Keywords: Copper Head, Hand Screeding, Laser Screeding, Plough

INTRODUCTION

Screeding

To explicate the meaning of Laser screed technology, first there should be acute knowledge

of the word “Screed”. Screed is a flat board, or a aluminium tool, used to

smooth concrete after it has been placed on a surface and also used to assist in levelling the

application of plaster.

Figure: 1 Screeding Figure: 2 Screeding

Source: en.wikipedia.org Source: dictionary.reference.com

INTRODUCTION TO LASER SCREED TECHNOLOGY

The introduction of the Laser Screed machine coincided(happen simultaneously) with

increased demands for flatter and more level industrial/warehouse floors. Laser screed

technology produces slab-on-grade concrete floors that are flatter and stronger than any

comparative floors produced by using conventional methods. They establish grade by laser,

utilizing a 3D profiler system, disperse concrete by auger, and then vibrate and consolidate

the concrete.

Laser Screeds are setting new standards for concrete floors. In addition to being laser, this

technology is precise and mechanically powerful, they are fast. It can accurately screed 240

square feet of concrete in just 60 seconds. That means more floor is placed daily and

production schedules are satisfied or actually shortened.

Figure: 3 Pavement work by Laser Screeding Figure: 4 Industrial floor by Laser Screeding

Figure: 3 Laser Screeding

WORKING OF LASER SCREED TECHNOLOGY

The laser screed machine has four wheel drives, four wheel steer and is operated by one

person seated at a point of maximum visibility. It utilizes a 360° rotating platform with a

telescopic boom. The end of the boom is a screed head that is a plough and auger that cuts

the concrete to level and a vibrating beam to compact the material.

The screed head boasts a laser-guided, automatic control system. This system allows the

machine to accurately place and finish concrete to the exact level and finish specified. There

are 2 receivers on the screed head that receive signals from the static laser transmitter which

provides a constant reference to the datum level. This transmitted signal functions to

automatically adjust the hydraulic cylinders that guide the screed head.

The following are the process steps of working f Lasser Screed Technology.

Process Step 1 Process Step 2 Process Step 3

The laser transmitter casts the

beam over the entire foyer.

The beam axis the electronic

stream line continuously

monitored by the laser

transmitters on Copper Head

(Laser screed machine)

The Copper Head receives

the Laser beam continuously

and maintain the fixed

distance from where the

beam strikes the transmitter

to the bottom of the plough.

Process Step 4 Process Step 5 Process Step 6

As the Copper Head ploughs

itself to the freshly placed

concrete, it encounters

various subgrade conditions

that cause the chassis to ride

up-down .

The Copper Head

compensate by continuously

and automatically raising or

lowering a plough to

maintain the correct

relationship to the laser. This

regulated flow of concrete is

now at grade. The vibrator

plate is so smooth to

precisely level concrete.

Here it can be seen the

plough moving up-down

continuously or vibrator plate

states on grade. The lower

frame and upper frame are

connected in a manner that

isolates lower frame real

movement from the upper

frame.

Process Step 7 Process Step 8 Process Step 9

It is to be noted that wheels

encounters various

subgrade conditions but the

plate has state level.

Machine Allows free

movement when it is

screeding. It is easy for the

operator to control the

machine.

There is a horizontal pin

connection allowing the side

to side of the wheels.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF LASER SCREED MACHINES AVAILABLE IN MARKET

Many types of Laser Screeding machine were developed by several industrial companies in the

mid-1980s based on patented technology to provide a highly accurate, mechanical method of

screeding concrete for slab-on-grade floors.

Different types of Laser Screed products which are enlisted below.

Figure: 12 S-15m LASER SCREED Figure: 13 S-840 LASER SCREED concrete leveling

equipment

Figure: 14 SXP®-D LASER SCREED concrete leveling equipment Figure: 15 Mini Screed

Figure: 16 STS-132 Topping Spreader Figure: 17 Mini Screed C

Figure: 18 3-D Profiler System Figure: 19 Copper Head

Figure: 20 PowerRake Figure: 21 HoseHog

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANUAL SCREEDING AND LASER SCREEDING

Figure: 22 Manual Screeding Figure: 23 Laser Screeding

THE BENEFITS OF LASER SCREED TECHNOLOGY

Faster placement - Laser Screed machines can accurately level 240 square feet of

concrete in less than one minute. It easily moves around obstacles on the job site and

eliminates most frameworks, meaning more floors or paving is placed daily and

production schedules are satisfied or actually shortened. Fast-track production, high

quality, and cost effectiveness are all direct benefits of utilizing Laser Screed.

Flatter floors – we can achieve laser-precise flatness and levelness every time. Floors are

routinely flatter, stronger, and more level than floors produced by any other conventional

method.

Fewer workers – The Laser Screed equipment’s does the tough, strenuous (effortful)

work, so we simply get more work done with less manual effort, allowing to make larger

daily placements with fewer workers.

Produces floors of unequalled flatness & levelness

Reduces labour costs due to faster placing times and reduced form work

Increases productivity & efficiency

Assures greater accuracy through Laser Technology

Easily places 3”-4” slump concrete, larger aggregate mixes, and fibrous concrete

Concrete is levelled and compacted in one operation,

Producing high strength, dense, durable floors

Improves floor quality and increases profits

LIMITATIONS OF LASER SCREED TECHNOLOGY

The most significant limitation to using the laser screed is that it is only practical for

larger jobs (more than 50,000 ft²)

Other limitations are primarily related to the laser screed’s size and weight. A fairly large

door is needed, and light reinforcement will not carry up to the machine’s weight.

CASE STUDY

A report was presented by GLENN A. SHEPHARD on “LASER TECHNOLOGIES

APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCTION” to the Graduate Committee of the Department Civil

Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Civil

Engineering, University of Florida, Summer 1999.

In this case study, the application of Laser screed technology was described briefly and its

comparison to hand Screeding was also notified in the report given by GLENN A.

SHEPHARD

Research includes Figures 1 and 2 illustrate floor flatness (FF) measured in inches over the

plane surface in yards. While the floor profile deviations of 1/2-inch over 10 yards for a hand

screed floor appear to be insignificant.

Figure: 20 Hand Screed Floor Profile - deviation in

inches over plane measurement in yards.

(Laser Screed Ltd., 1999)

Figure: 21. Laser Screed Floor Profile - deviation

in inches over plane measurement in yards.

(Laser Screed Ltd., 1999)

CONCLUSIONS

The following are the conclusion drawn from the study of Laser screed technology. Laser

Screeding consistently outperforms hand Screeding for precision and speed of flooring and

paving. Lower costs, reduced manpower, increased mobility and greater accuracy guarantee

the skilled teams will be 'on' and 'off' site with exceptional efficiency - allowing early access

for following trade and delivering improved customer satisfaction. The laser screed machines

have screed heads up to 3.6 m wide and the engine and hydraulic drive system, located in the

lower frame, significantly reduces noise and improves ease of maintenance. Moreover,

Simplified controls and an ergonomic design make the machines easy to operate, while a low

head height improves access in restricted areas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Authors thankfully acknowledge to Dr. C. L. Patel, Chairman, Charutar Vidya Mandal,

Er.V.M.Patel, Hon. Jt. Secretary, Charutar Vidya Mandal, Mr. Yatinbhai Desai, Jay Maharaj

construction, Dr. F.S.Umrigar, Principal, B.V.M. Engineering College, Dr. L. B. Zala, Head

and Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Dr. A. K. Verma, Head and Professor,

Structural Engineering Department, B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar,

Gujarat, India for their motivations and infrastructural support to carry out this research.

REFERENCES

[1] en.wikipedia.org

[2] GLENN A. SHEPHARD, 'LASER TECHNOLOGIES APPLICATION TO

CONSTRUCTION'A Report Presented to the Graduate Committee of the Department

Civil Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of

Civil Engineering, University of Florida, Summer 1999

[3] pmallam.dns-systems.net

[4] Ravindra K Dhir, Peter C. Hewlett “Concrete in the Service of Mankind: Radical concrete

technology, Volume 4” E & FN SPON Publication, pp-535.

[5] techniconconstruction.com

[6] www.amanabuildings.com

[7] www.aquariustech.net

[8] www.cogriasia.com

[9] www.engineeringnews.co.za

[10] www.somero.com