Research and innovation

Ambuja Cement's strong credentials in research, development, and innovation have helped it develop new products and services tailored to the needs of its customers.

Innovation has been the hallmark of Ambuja Cement since its inception. The company's strong credentials in research and development, and innovation have led to the development of new products and services to better serve the needs of its customers.

Concrete Futures Laboratory

A one-of-a-kind initiative by Ambuja Cement, the Concrete Futures Laboratory (CFL) is a one-stop solution for the Architect, Engineer and Construction professionals (AEC) community to 'test, learn and experience' cement and concrete. Currently there are eight CFLs functional across India out of which six are compliant with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, and have been awarded accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

Testing

1. Physical testing of construction materials

CFL conducts physical testing of construction materials which includes testing of cement and aggregates as per IS specifications.

Following are the tests conducted on coarse and fine aggregates, and on concrete under NABL accreditation at the CFL laboratory: Sieve Analysis

DLBD

Water Absorption

Surface Moisture

Material Passing through 75 micron sieve

Elongation & Flakiness Index

Specific Gravity

Concrete Cube Testing services

In addition to the above, the following tests are also conducted: Rapid Chloride Penetration Test

Mortar Testing

Normal consistency of Cement

Initial & Final Setting Time of Cement

Marsh Cone Test

Fineness of Cement by Blaine’s Method

Slump Cone Test

Compaction Factor Test

Flow Table Test

V Funnel Test

U Tube Test

2. Non Destructive Testing:

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Rebound Hammer Test

Concrete Mix Design Services

CFL offers the following concrete mix design services:

Normal concrete grades up to M55

High strength and High performance concrete above M55 grade

Normal consistency of cement

Self-compacting Concrete

Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Light-weight Concrete and Heavy-density Concrete

Dry-lean Concrete and Pavement Quality Concrete

High Volume Fly Ash Concrete

Concrete Mix for Hollow & Solid Blocks

Special tests at CFL

Due to non-availability of natural sand and the environmental hazards associated with mining of sand, the industry has found another alternative for natural sand, called M-sand, to meet the requirements of the construction industry. CFL conducts different tests to ascertain and compare the performance of natural sand as well as different types of M-sand available in the market.

1. . LH MeeToo Cone TM TM is an application-based testing methodology developed to assess the rheological and mechanical performance of concrete. In a simplified approach, LH MeeToo Cone testing will help assess the workability and strength development of a concrete by testing its mortar.

2. LH MeeToo Blu TMTM Methylene Blue test methods are standardised to quantify clay contamination in sand used for concrete production. LH MeeTooBlu™ helps to raise awareness about contamination and ways to overcome/solve issues created by clay.

3. . LH MeeToo ShapeTM

The test helps to characterise the shape of sand, one of the main quality parameters of sand. The tests do not directly assess the water demand of sand; instead it assesses its particle nature, which together with other sand properties (gradation, clay content), influences the performance in application.