RR965 - An investigation into the effects of potential changes in concrete properties when aged and weathered on hand arm vibration emission magnitudes

During vibration emission measurements of hammers according to EN60745-2-6 (work published as RR868), variations in results were found which appeared to be related to the condition or age of the concrete test blocks following a 12-month period of outside storage. In one case, the emission value was reduced by 36%. For two of the three tools identified in RR868, the variation in vibration emission resulted in a change from the manufacturers' data not being verified to being verified in accordance with EN12096.

This work aimed to replicate the situation that gave rise to the results detailed RR868 and to identify variables that could account for any changes to the measured vibration emission. The investigation included monitoring the compressive strength of the concrete over time and under different storage conditions and a series of vibration emission measurements using a variety of hand held drills on the different concrete test blocks, when the blocks were newly cast and after a period of 14-months of storage and weathering.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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Updated 2021-04-26