ZORN Mini Light Weight Deflectometer

Electronic settlement measuring instrument for bearing capacity testing of compacted soils. Small, oval load plate makes it ideal for narrow utility trenches such as fiber optic broadband cabling.

Dynamic plate load testing with the ZORN Mini for narrow utility trenches

Trenches for fiber optic broadband cables are often narrower and shallower than those for conventional utility lines. Nevertheless, compaction quality must be ensured when backfilling. Conventional deflectometers are too large for such testing and therefore unsuitable.

With the ZORN MINI, contractors and clients now have a Light Weight Deflectometer specifically developed for this application. Based on the proven TP BF-StB, Part B 8.3 testing regulations, users can reliably test compaction in trench widths as narrow as 120 mm.

The ZORN MINI load plate features an oval shape with a minimum width of 100 mm to fit the geometry of narrow fiber optic trenches. The plate’s surface area corresponds to that of a conventional Light Weight Deflectometer with a 150 mm circular load plate. The maximum normal stress under the ZORN MINI load plate is 0.2 MN/m2.

When backfilling narrow fiber optic trenches, material layers are typically placed and compacted in lifts. Layer thicknesses of 150–200 mm are also thinner than in conventional excavations. Adapted for this, the ZORN MINI is equipped with a 5 kg drop weight. The resulting impact force of 3.535 kN is optimal for testing these layers.

GPS Receiver

We offer an enhanced internal receiver for the ZORN Mini. This captures signals from up to three different satellite systems (GNSS) simultaneously: GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS. This improves horizontal accuracy to two meters.

ZORN Mini Standard Equipment

  • Integrated WiFi module for wireless data transfer from the LWD to smartphone, tablet, or PC
  • GPS/GNSS module (deactivatable)
  • Loading device with 5 kg drop weight; 3.535 kN impact load
  • Full leather bag for settlement measuring instrument
  • Oval load plate, 190 mm width, 110 mm depth, 6.9 kg weight
  • SD card for storing approx. 10,000 data sets
  • Power supply via 4 x R6 (AA batteries) – included
  • Printer interface

 

Optional accessories:

  • Thermal printer for ZFG Mini incl. battery pack, power supply, connection cable, and aluminum case
  • ZFG Software becomes ZORN FG-WebApp: The WebApp is compatible with all ZORN Light Weight Deflectometers with SD cards (ZFG 3.1, ZFG 3000, ZORN Mini).
    The ZORN FG-WebApp is available free of charge to German customers.

Download Data Sheet

Additional information

Weight

Total weight of load plate and drop weight approx. 13 kg

Material

Surface-finished loading device and load plate; ergonomic catch handle with non-slip powder coating; single-piece handle construction without weld seams prone to breakage