Features

Core values, constant innovation and looking after the customer are the key drivers for Ben Brock, chief executive officer and president of Astec Industries. How does he keep his company ahead of the pack and what does he think that the future holds? if you ask Ben Brock to explain how his Astec Industries group has managed to do so well for so long, he doesn’t even pause for breath. “That’s easy, I thank the good doctor. He always told me: do good work and take care of the customer ... which is exactl

Developments in data processing and management are revolutionising the way concrete strengths can be measured and used to improve efficiencies - Kristina Smith reports on two new technologies A new system that uses thermal imaging to measure the strength of sprayed concrete tunnel linings is being trialled for the first time in London. The brainchild of Dr Benoit Jones, managing director of Inbye Engineering, the technique could lead to improvements in safety, quality and – in the longer run – productivi

Taking a road and rail link across one of the biggest rivers in South America, together with its swamps and flood-plain, called for a new crossing of truly superlative dimensions. Two 135.5m pylons for the third bridge across the Orinoco River, at Caicara del Orinoco, in Venezuela took shape with a formwork solution and automatic climbing technology from Doka. The bridge has an overall length of just over 11km and the main bridge is nearly 2.3km long with the roadway 55m above the river. The two ident

Will increased ADT load capacity provide a suitable solution to increasing aggregate and earthmoving haulage needs? Mike Woof reports The rule of thumb with off-highway machinery is that for bulk operations, larger equipment can deliver economies of scale, with bigger payloads allowing a better cost/tonne. Heavier machines may be less versatile than more compact units, so a type of equipment that retains its versatility as it is scaled up in size can offer major benefits. For the articulated dumptruc

ABM reports that investment manufacturing equipment at its UK factory in Nottinghamshire is permitting production of an increased range of larger, heavier bridge components The new facility means that the company can now also manufacture U and W section prestressed concrete bridge beams of up to 120 tonnes. The company said that the additional capability means it can offer customers shorter cycle times, even for the heaviest and most complex beams, and a product of high and consistent quality. The dev

Stirling Lloyd Polychem has introduced a cold, spray-applied bond coat that it says provides enhanced adhesion values and superior in-situ performance Bond Coat 3, part of the Eliminator bridge deck waterproofing system, “represents a significant development” in the provision of tack and bond coats that are used to adhere the asphalt surfacing to the waterproofing. It provides a fast-curing tack-free, durable protective finish that resists contamination and damage from traffic. It removes the risk of

Pylons almost 90m high are a striking feature of a new cable-stayed East End Crossing bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky state in the US The pylons are characterised by their complex shapes and massive legs and cross beams. Peri provided a comprehensive overall concept for its construction – consisting of a planning solution with perfectly matched formwork, climbing, shoring and scaffolding systems along with extensive on-site support. With a Peri solution, the construction crew were a

Versatility and productivity are key drivers for the concrete plant sector - Mike Woof writes. The days of most construction machines being expressly designed and built for a single specific purpose have gone. These days construction equipment is largely intended to be versatile and adaptable, allowing it to be operated in a wide array of applications and duties. New concrete plants are designed too for mobility as this allows users to set up highly productive equipment quickly on basic sites, with little p

Brazil’s Tamoio Highway and São Sebastião tunnel construction is of major importance – Mauro Nogarin reports. The modernisation and expansion of Brazil’s Tamoio highway is a major project for Brazil. The project has an estimated cost of $1.5 billion and work on the first section from Planalto was completed in January 2014, costing around $350 million. The project is being managed by the state-owned agency DERSA, which deals with road development. According to the concessionaire for the Tamoios highway p

IRF Geneva is pleased to join hands with IQPC and support the Qatar Road Safety Forum which will take place in Doha on 27-28 September 2016. This year saw the launch of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals which specified that road deaths need to be halved by 50% by 2020. This has prompted a greater focus on road safety with significant consideration made on evidence-based road safety strategies to achieve this goal. The authorities are currently gearing themselves up for a steep growth in po

Francesco Micci discusses innovation in funding methods All countries need an efficient and extended road transport system to sustain both the social development and the economic competitiveness. The latest trends show that the demand for road infrastructure is constantly growing, despite the negative impact of the financial and economic crisis on public and private financing. Global spending regarding road transport infrastructure actually accounts for roughly US$580 billion worldwide, and is projected

A new causeway, crossing the Bay of Kuwait, is under construction and providing a major engineering challenge - Mike Woof reports. The new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway Project being built across the Bay of Kuwait is a massive engineering project that is costing around US$3 billion in all. This highly complex project involves the design, build, completion and maintenance of the causeway, which spans Kuwait Bay between Kuwait City and the Subiyah area. The 36km Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Cau