Features

One thing is clear in the concrete slipforming sector. This comparatively niche market for equipment is rapidly becoming a good deal more competitive as key manufacturers jostle for position.

Concrete is a versatile construction product, but it must be tested to make sure that it is fit for purpose

Progressive paving improvements are offering better surface quality

A need for road repairs is fuelling demand for new milling machines, Mike Woof reports. With many roads in Europe and North America needing repairs, manufacturers continue to meet demand by offering improved compact milling machines, as well as full-sized planers. The versatile and manoeuvrable compact machines can play a useful role in on-site recycling jobs for urban road improvements while the larger mills can be vital for in-situ recycling work.

A new cycle way monitoring system developed by consultant Cowi and laser electronics company Dynatest in Denmark adds a new dimension to monitoring local road networks. It is developed from standard road condition measurements but is specially tailored for the bicycle path and the particular ride conditions needed for cyclists. The need is growing as the bicycle lane becomes increasingly important around the world. In London a number of special bicycle "super highways" have been introduced, marking off bicy

Although construction projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi demand large volumes of aggregates, many quarries in those regions are being closed by authorities. Much of the demand is being met by quarries in the Emirate of Fujairah which are fast becoming the regions' 'bread basket' for gabbro aggregates.

Work on a key link in the United Arab Emirates is benefiting from the use of equipment supplied by Sandvik Mining and Construction. The firm supplied key equipment for the Salalah bypass project, a 32km road link that will span the entire length of Salalah City as it runs from Raysut in the east, towards Ayn Razat in the west.

Dealing with nuisance dust is an issue for almost every quarry and for those operating in the tropical paradise of the Caribbean, it is no different. One Trinidad-based quarry operator has recently tackled the problem and is seeing benefits for its workers, neighbours and its machine service life too.

A new washing system being used in a South African quarrying operation has brought major productivity and efficiency improvements. Natal Portland Cement (NPC) says these have been achieved at its Sterkspuit quarry, near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on South Africa's east coast, following the introduction of a new washing plant from CDE Global. The loss of quality fines has been eliminated during sand processing due to the use of the CDE Evowash plant, which replaced a bucket wheel de-waterer at the site. NPC is

Our series of profiles on winning projects from the 2010 Global Road Achievement (GRAA) Awards continues with the Construction Methodology Category won by Barrier Systems/Utah Department of Transportation With any major road construction project, the disruption of traffic flow is of paramount concern for engineers, workers and travellers, particularly as it relates to increased traffic delays and the safety of those driving through the work zone.

Caterpillar's new 390DL excavator is said to delivers higher performance and increased durability over the 385C model it replaces. Power comes from an 18.1litre Cat C18 ACERT diesel, which delivers 390kW and features advanced electronic control, precise fuel delivery and refined air management. Upgrades to the 390DL's implement hydraulics allow the excavator to deliver greater digging and lifting forces than its predecessor. Increased breakout force promotes faster trenching and loading cycles plus stronger

Mexico-based Grupo Pinfra was one of the country's first aggregate producers to invest in mobile crushing and screening equipment. Twenty years on, the company is still confident that mobile equipment is key to meeting demand and has just expanded its fleet.

Modern concrete production plants are using technology to offer more sophisticated mix recipes as Patrick Smith reports. The growing trend towards ever more sophisticated concrete recipes calls for fully developed mixing technology. Companies are responding to the challenges with equipment that offers new levels of sophistication including computer controls and units that can deliver a huge variety of mix recipes.

Christophe Nicodème, ERF's Director General, explores a missing link in the road safety chain

With capital expenditure plans being reduced, many quarry operators are using the funds available to improve on productivity with their existing equipment fleets. Claire Symes reports. The economic downturn has had a big impact on the aggregates production sector with many quarry operators looking to reduce costs and rationalise operations. The impact of this can be seen in the reduction of capital expenditure plans but the investments that are being made are focused on efficiency.