Machine control helps with earthquake reconstruction

In Japan the latest machine control technologies are being used to help with earthquake reconstruction. Three years after the major earthquake that devastated Miyagi Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, the clean-up and reconstruction work is far from complete. In addition to rebuilding infrastructure and buildings, the Japanese Government has had to build a series of major improvements to flood protection.
December 4, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

In Japan the latest machine control technologies are being used to help with earthquake reconstruction.

Three years after the major earthquake that devastated Miyagi Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, the clean-up and reconstruction work is far from complete. In addition to rebuilding infrastructure and buildings, the Japanese Government has had to build a series of major improvements to flood protection.
~
To help speed the rebuilding, sophisticated machine control systems were fitted to the earthmoving machines. Contractor Shimizu installed 1228 MOBA’s Xsite PRO 3D excavation system to move and landscape a total of 52,000m3 of earth within the necessary but tight time slot of just five months. A completely new dyke, taller than before, was built over a total length of 500m in order to ensure stronger and more effective protection against flooding. The tsunami that followed the massive earthquake had swamped the area, causing enormous damage. However the dyke had to feature a steep embankment with an incline angle of 50%, which was challenging to the construction team. But using the 3D system made the process easier than with conventional technologies.

First, the 3D model of the planned dyke, which had been previously created in the office, was transferred to the Xsite PRO system. This model provided the task specification for the excavator operator, along with the respective incline angle and depth specifications. Each work step had to be precisely recorded and represented on the display. Using sensors mounted on the boom, arm, bucket and chassis, the system was able to register the position of the bucket at all times. The machine position and orientation were determined by means of GNSS. The display showed the values in the terrain model, so the excavator operators could recognise when the desired incline angle and depth had been attained and where further material needed to be moved. This allowed the dyke to be built precisely according to the model.

According to the contractor, this resulted in time savings of 15%. Meanwhile there was no need to place stakes on the site, further reducing the time and expense of the job, while it was also possible to avoid having to hire two surveyors for the task of surveying.

Earthmoving & soil compaction Connected Construction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Grade control system improves machine guidance
    April 5, 2012
    A new Caterpillar grade control system can be installed at the factory to certain Tier 4 Interim/ Stage IIIB emission compliant dozers, graders, scrapers and excavators. The technology improves operator efficiency and equipment performance while reducing the overall cost of a machine guidance system on site.
    Read More
  • Asphalt milling optimised by 3D controls
    February 20, 2012
    3D machine controls can optimise milling efficiency, Mike Woof reports. More efficient milling and recycling operations can be carried out by using the latest 3D control systems on the market. At the last Trimble Dimensions event in Las Vegas, the advantages of 3D controls for milling operations proved a key topic. The use of 3D control systems can offer huge advantages in milling operations. This technology helps increase productivity as the milling machine will only remove what is required, which also hel
    Read More
  • In control, with advanced technology
    August 15, 2019
    Machine control technology continues to advance, with new systems offering contractors major gains in working efficiency The latest developments in machine control technology once again push the bar in terms of advancements. The latest systems allow contractors to work even more effectively and efficiently than before. Doosan has unveiled one of the first uses globally of 5G technology to remotely control construction and quarrying machines. The firm has coined the term ‘TeleOperation’ to describe the
    Read More
  • Accurate, efficient drilling system
    April 13, 2012
    Moba’s MDS-2000 Drilling System is being used for the first time in a South American quarry. Used over two shifts by operators since September 2011 to monitor and control drill blast holes at a granite quarry in Vacamonte, Panama, Moba has equipped an HCR-1200 EDII type drilling device from FRD Furukawa Rock Drill with the drilling system in collaboration with B-B-S Bohrsysteme. The MDS-2000 enables drill holes to be made parallel to each other and to the desired depth and pre-set angle.
    Read More

Highlighted Content