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

  • MOBA offering sophisticated excavator control system
    January 6, 2017
    MOBA says that the modular concept behind its Xsite excavator control system ensures that the package can be used in a wide array of excavator installations and duties. The system can be set up for small or large projects and customers have a choice of a simpler 2D package or a more sophisticated 3D system.
    Read More
  • Trimble advances in machine control
    July 11, 2018
    Trimble is offering new advances in machine control technology – Mike Woof writes An important technology advance from Trimble is now coming from its expanding range of EarthWorks machine control systems. These systems can help deliver more efficient earthmoving operations, increasing productivity while maintaining accuracy. The first EarthWorks system was developed for use with excavators and this latest system is designed to be used with dozers, utilising much of the same hardware. Meanwhile, other Ea
    Read More
  • Trimble advances in machine control
    August 22, 2018
    Trimble is offering new advances in machine control technology – Mike Woof writes An important technology advance from Trimble is now coming from its expanding range of EarthWorks machine control systems. These systems can help deliver more efficient earthmoving operations, increasing productivity while maintaining accuracy. The first EarthWorks system was developed for use with excavators and this latest system is designed to be used with dozers, utilising much of the same hardware. Meanwhile, othe
    Read More
  • Data handling for efficient machine control
    October 16, 2012
    The rapid increase in information availability is transforming the construction sector. Conventional methods used for sourcing geographic data based on maps and localised sampling meant that there was often a lack of accurate information relating to ground conditions at specific areas where work was planned, often resulting in unwelcome surprises for construction companies along with additional costs for projects.
    Read More

Highlighted Content