Features

Speed and precision have been the hallmarks of a number of major road tunnelling projects across the globe over the last 12 months, as the latest sector equipment from leading manufacturers has found itself in high demand. Guy Woodford reports Herrenknecht tunnel boring machines (TBM) have been busy tunnelling under major Chinese rivers, demonstrating phenomenal speed, top safety levels and extreme precision while playing a key role in the construction of road tunnels in the Yangtze River Delta. The Yang

Ian Hayes, RMD Kwikform’s divisional operations director, gives an overview of the current global formwork and shoring market Over the recent past, the formwork and shoring market has been changing as the global economic recovery begins to take shape and different countries again begin to invest in key infrastructure projects. Notably there has been a shift in the Middle East, as countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman embark on major airport and the road infrastructure projects to support developme

Manufacturers are introducing new compaction machines to meet the latest market requirements - Mike Woof writes

Benninghoven’s Ralf Port talks about the German firm’s development with partner BAM of its counter flow parallel drum system for RAP material The asphalt industry constantly searches for new solutions in order to optimise processes within the asphalt plant. A major subject is the increase of RAP content in all recipes. Recycling Parallel Drum Systems work in various sizes and at various power levels. This technique has been established by different producers over the decades. However, all kinds of concepts

Central and south-east Europe are hotbeds for new highway infrastructure projects utilising cutting-edge formwork solutions, while a number of leading formwork manufacturers are also looking at emergent markets for growth. Guy Woodford reports Travelling between Hungary’s capital Budapest and Southern Dalmatia now takes less time thanks to the Pan-European Corridor Vc – European route 73. Numerous tunnels and bridges are erected along the 397km stretch of the European route 73 through Bosnia owing to the

A wide array of engine solutions was unveiled at Conexpo 2014, with major manufacturers developing new low emissions technologies Cummins Emissions Solutions introduced a range of EcoFit urea tanks and lines for those adopting SCR after-treatment systems. EcoFit includes four tank capacities – 19, 38, 57 and 114litres – including two different shape profiles for additional installation flexibility. A key component is the urea quality sensor – it detects and monitors the correct urea liquid composition, e

Far too often, managers will view training as a luxury and not as a competitive and strategic necessity. Lazy team leaders regularly argue that it is a waste of time and money training their people, not least because these same trainees might subsequently leave the organisation. Courses are seen as an interruption, and a good way to delay things. There is always something much more pressing and important on the to-do list and staff can end up feeling forced into the training department. But these are weak a

Cummins develops new turbo technology to boost diesel efficiency and performance – Geoff Ashcroft reports Cummins Turbo Technologies (CTT), a global engineering leader in turbocharger technology, has revealed a new range of large turbochargers for engine capacities of 16litres and above. Called the 900 series, the new turbo platform sits between the 800 and 1000 series models and is said to provide robust, flexible solutions for the off-highway sectors, including quarrying and mining applications. Des

Driven by the price of virgin aggregates and strong environmental concerns, the recycling of reclaimed asphalt already is and will increasingly be a hot topic within the asphalt plants’ and associated equipment manufacturing sector, says Kathrin Richter, marketing manager for Ammann’s Asphalt Division “Until a few years ago, the question was: How much reclaimed asphalt can one add to the recipe mix? Today, the question is more likely to be: How much fresh material should I add to the reclaimed asphalt? Ove

While one leading asphalt plant manufacturer is claiming a RAP production first, another is proving a big success in one part of Eastern Europe. Guy Woodford reports Astec Industries is continuing its track record for innovation by claiming it is the only asphalt plant manufacturer offering asphalt mix producers a 100% RAP [Recycled Asphalt Pavement] plant. With the addition of the Conexpo 2014 launched RAP KING plant to its product line, Astec says it is now able to offer a complete array of plants coverin

The ADT offers a highly versatile option for earthmoving applications and manufacturers are offering new and improved models with the latest low emission engines - Mike Woof writes The versatility and adaptability of the ADT has seen this type of machine become one of the most important types of equipment for the global off-highway machinery sector. The once popular motor scraper now sells in only limited numbers, even in the US, and has been replaced by the more versatile excavator and ADT combination o

Asphalt paving technology continues to develop, benefiting from new technologies and new diesel engines - Mike Woof reports The asphalt paving equipment market is seeing the introduction of new low emission engines that will meet the Tier 4 Final regulations for Europe and North America. These have required some major engineering changes, with firms now having to install bulky exhaust after-treatment systems and additional cooling for engines and turbos.

A new Scottish specification for stone mastic asphalt could help with some of the durability issues sometimes experienced in the UK An alternative specification for stone mastic asphalt has been used on the A90 in Scotland, with tests suggesting that the material will be more durable than thin surfacing produced under the standard UK specification, Clause 942 of the Specification for Highway works.

The Czech Republic has seen its first ever use of warm mix produced using additive Evotherm - and a survey carried out in the US shows that warm mix is still on the rise there - Kristina Smith reports The troubled Blanka Tunnel in Prague will see the Czech Republic’s first ever use of Evotherm warm mix asphalt (WMA) technology. The 6km tunnel is the longest urban motorway tunnel in Europe and will take the north-west section of the city ring road below ground. Designed as dual carriageway throughout w

The challenging construction of India’s largest road tunnel is part of a vital US$500 million project aiming to connect the isolated northern state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the vast and highly populated country. Guy Woodford reports Travelling on National Highway 1A (NH 1A) in northern India should be the dictionary definition of ordeal. The single lane, narrow and winding road crosses some of the steepest, most treacherous terrain on the planet. The arduous route becomes especially difficult t