GPS controlled graders deliver a smooth surface

Birse has used two machine control systems on the A14 project in the UK, one GPS-controlled to provide excavators with a +/-30mm accuracy and a second system which used a Trimble UTS as control on a grader to achieve +/- 5mm - well within the Highway Agency's sub-base tolerance of +10/-30mm. This meant that when it came to the asphalt surface, Birse agreed a thickness and Lafarge, the blacktop contractor, let the paving machine run instead of the operators constantly making manual adjustments. At the end of
July 12, 2012 Read time: 1 min
1486 Birse has used two machine control systems on the A14 project in the UK, one GPS-controlled to provide excavators with a +/-30mm accuracy and a second system which used a 2122 Trimble UTS as control on a grader to achieve +/- 5mm - well within the Highway Agency's sub-base tolerance of +10/-30mm. This meant that when it came to the asphalt surface, Birse agreed a thickness and 3180 Lafarge, the blacktop contractor, let the paving machine run instead of the operators constantly making manual adjustments. At the end of the job, one of Birse's engineers looked at a 1km section of type 1 sub-base in detail. The average surface deviation on this tested carriageway was zero and local users of the A14 have even been phoning and emailing their approval of the smooth finish.
Connected Construction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Building Egypt's world class Desert Highway
    February 9, 2012
    A huge highway upgrade project will transform the Cairo-Alexandria road link into a world-class connection as Mike Woof reports
    Read More
  • Machine control advances from key suppliers
    May 21, 2018
    The leading suppliers of machine control technology are now offering advanced new solutions for customers – Mike Woof writes. Important developments in machine control technologies are now coming to market. The major suppliers are making major advances to offer new solutions for customers, which can help boost accuracy while reducing the time needed to carry out a project, as well as minimising the need for reworking. From Topcon Positioning Group comes a sophisticated 3D machine control package that the fi
    Read More
  • Mallorca airport runway upgrade with machine control
    April 13, 2017
    The latest machine control technology has played an important role in an airport runway upgrade for Mallorca. The Spanish island has long been a major tourist destination and its airport has been struggling to cope with demand, handling around 26 million passengers in 2016. Palma de Mallorca Airport is the third largest airport in Spain and during the peak summer holiday period, the massive influx of tourists makes it one of the busiest airports in Europe.
    Read More
  • THIS is a Paving Project– The I-15 CORE
    December 20, 2012
    Provo, Utah – The scope of the I-15 Corridor Expansion Project (I-15 CORE) in the state of Utah is nearly unprecedented because of the size of the project and the short completion deadline. Twenty-four miles (38.6 km) of removal and replacement of Interstate 15 between Lehi and Spanish Fork, widening the number of traveling lanes by two, for up to six lanes in each direction in 35 months. The new 364 lane miles (586 km) of concrete roadway will be slipformed 12 or 12.5 inches (305 or 318 mm) thick for a tot
    Read More

Highlighted Content