Numerical analysis and experimental research on the vibration performance of concrete vibration table in PC components

Abstract Vibration table is the key equipment to realize high efficiency and high quality forming and compacting of concrete in prefabricated component (PC) production line, and its performance directly affects the shape quality and compressive strength of PC components. However, the operating parameters of the vibration table are difficult to match the rheology of the concrete during the construction process, which directly leads to a low molding efficiency or unqualified shape quality in the case of slab-type components. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately describe the concrete flow behavior during vibration to improve the construction performance and compaction effect. In this work, the coupled theory of computational fluid dynamics and discrete element is used to study the concrete vibration and compacting characteristics, and the influence of process parameters on vibration performance is analyzed in order to realize the adjustment and optimization of key parameters. First, the concrete solid-liquid two-phase model parameters are calibrated by V-shaped funnel experiments and slump experiments. Then, based on the simulation results, the homogeneity and compactness of concrete are discussed using the segmented sieving method and the slicing method, and the indexes for evaluating the working performance of the vibration table are proposed. Finally, the relationship between vibration frequency (20–30 Hz), vibration amplitude (3–4 mm), and vibration time (15–35 s) and concrete vibration compaction characteristics is investigated to provide a theoretical basis for improving the molding efficiency and mold quality of PC components.