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In response to many drainage systems being overloaded, the impact of climate change and the increased risk of floods, Atkins has created a toolkit that helps identify the locations where sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can be implemented.
The European Association for Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes (ESTA) is launching a new conference early next year to address growing concerns about safety during the transportation and erection of on-shore wind turbines.
Wacker Neuson has introduced the ET16 mini tracked excavator, designed particularly for excavation work in confined spaces.
John Deere has launched its 470G LC excavator, featuring an EPA Final Tier 4/EU Stage IV diesel engine.
The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) has honoured eight projects and individuals from the tunnelling industry at its annual ITA Tunnelling Awards.
Mexican-based Cemex has officially launched a new range of lightweight foamed concrete at the UK Construction Week in Birmingham, UK.
Whether buildings are comprised of commercial, residential or office space, they can be assessed, rated and certified according to their green and sustainable features.
With arising worries about the environment, global warming and pollution, skyscrapers, office towers and even mosques are increasingly incorporating green and eco-friendly design and features. Here, as part of the sustainability week on WCN, we look at some of the world’s greenest buildings.One Angel Square, UK
‘Living walls’, green façades, vertical farming or roof gardens are increasingly featuring in the design-concept of buildings.
The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) has laid down the design principles to create earthquake-resistant cranes. The new ISO 11031 can be used to calculate seismic loads, and sets out the design principles for cranes destined to work in seismically-active regions and for cranes required to be seismically-resistant.Klaus Pokorny, secretary of the ISO subcommittee working on design principles and requirements for cranes, said: “To make sure that cranes are safe, we first need to calculate the seismic loads that show how a crane will respond in moderate to severe earthquakes. Then you can use design limit states provided in two forms: serviceability limit and ultimate limit. “The serviceability limit state (SLS) ensures that the crane can withstand the effects of moderate earthquake ground motions throughout its service lifetime and continue to operate as intended. The ultimate limit state (ULS) requires that the crane structure should not collapse during severe earthquake ground motions, and that the suspended load or any other part of the crane should not fall or harm the public, operators and workers.” Pokorny added: “Any evaluation should take into account the regional seismic conditions as well as the ground surface conditions at the crane location. It’s also important to consider how the crane will be used and any risks that could result from seismic damage.“Not only will ISO 11031 add a layer of confidence to the industry, it also provides a common technical language so that manufacturers, users and owners understand each other clearly, no matter where they are — a boost for global trade.” The need of a standard to ensure seismic-resistant cranes was first highlighted by Japan, after the 1995 earthquake in Kobe.
Recycling has never been more popular, with people encouraged to set aside paper, food, glass, plastic and more. But what about recycling our roads? Roads deteriorate over time, and rehabilitating works have to be carried out regularly — road signs warning about roadworks are a common sight. To make this rehabilitation more efficient, a time-saving and new environmentally-friendly technology has been introduced into the UK this year — having already been widely established in North America, Europe and China. The cold recycling technology involves the milling and granulation of damaged asphalt layers, which are then rebound, placed again and compacted. The cold recyclers — the machinery used in the process — recycle the underlying layers of the road. The old surface material is churned up with new binder in the machine’s mixing-chamber, before laying down the new, recycled mix immediately on the road behind. Mike Reay, managing director at Lane Rental Services which owns and operates the first UK cold recycler, says: “The recycling layer is the layer beneath the surface. Following the recycling a brand new surface course is installed — first a new structural re-strengthen layer is provided by the recycler and then a brand new layer, running surface, is provided straight after that’s been completed.”The cold recycler when operating in the project’s site needs the assistance of a second machine in order to complete the resurfacing work. “A final surfacing, after the recycling process, is always done with an asphalt paver,” says Martin Diekmann, Wirtgen’s recycling product manager. “This means that an average 4cm hot mix asphalt layer as a wearing course is paved on top of the recycled layer.”Wirtgen — the market leader in cold recycling technology — has sold 1,000 cold recycler machines worldwide so far, according to Diekmann, and this number is expected to grow.The cold recyclers can be used for thin asphalt layers or minor roads, as well as for thick asphalt or heavily-trafficked motorways. A UK firstThe first UK cold recycler made its way into the country three months ago. “I was aware of the machinery used in the States and also in Europe. I visited a site near Toulouse in France in 2015 and was impressed with the equipment,” says Reay.He adds: “This equipment has been tried and tested in the USA and Europe, therefore we had the confidence to introduce it to the UK.” The cold recycling technology was first used in the UK on a Highways England project to resurface 1.6km of the A1 at Brownieside in Northumberland. “I discussed it with AOne+ [the project’s contractor] and, obviously mindful of Highways England delivery programme requirements, we jointly decided the time was appropriate for this introduction to the UK. We ordered the machine and some trials schemes were authorised and have now been carried out,” says Reay.The Wirtgen 3200 CR cold recycler is owned and operated by Lane Rental Services and was especially custom-made for the project. Reay adds: “It has been custom-made for the UK market, not only for the 2016 works. It will be the UK machine.” The 3200 CR differs from the standard Wirtgen 2200 CR and 3800 CR on its operating width. While the 3200 CR cuts on a 3.2m width, the other two machines cut at 2.2 and 3.8m widths, respectively.
Several projects are now in execution around the world and WCN, as part of its roads week, has listed 13 worth knowing about.1) National Highway Development Program, IndiaThe $71bn National Highway Development Program was implemented in 1998 and aims at improving the road network in India.The project — being delivered in seven phases — includes the construction, rehabilitation, expansion and upgrade of nearly 56km of highway.The Golden Quadrilateral phase, completed in 2015, connects the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, through a 5,846km road. The scope of the project also includes the construction of around 50,000km of roads, under Phases I-VII, Port Connectivity, and the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE).Even though the development only accounts for 2% of the total length of roads in the country, it carries about 40% of the total traffic. The programme, owned by National Highways Authority of India and planned by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of India, started in 2001 and is expected to be complete in 2021. 2) Central to Sukhumvit Bypass Upgrade, ThailandThe $26bn project involves the construction of an underground tunnel from Central Road to Soi Pornprapanimit in Chonburi, Thailand.The four-lane tunnel will be 1,900m long and 20m wide.The project also includes the construction of four subterranean lanes, road separators, footpaths, as well as the installation of air ventilators, signalling, security and lightening systems. Additionally, a U-turn on top of the tunnel — featuring an island with dolphin sculptures — is set to be constructed.The upgrade will reduce traffic congestion, as well as provide a freeway road to the region.Construction on the project, carried out by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, commenced in February 2015 and is expected to be complete in 2018.3) Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway, IndonesiaThe $25bn Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway project is set to connect the Lampung and Aceh provinces in Sumatra Island.The project, also known as Trans Sumatra toll road, involves the construction of a 2,600km toll road to be developed in 24 sections.The scope of the work also includes the construction of pavements, supporting walls, toll stations, pedestrian walkways, as well as the installation of safety systems.The development — aiming at improving connectivity and economic development in the region — has suffered many setbacks. In 2012, the land acquisition process started, but faced long delays due to disputes along the route.Construction work commenced in 2014, and the first eight sections are expected to be complete by 2019. Construction companies selected for the highway include PT Adhi Karya (Persero), PT Wijaya Karya Beton, PT Hutama Karya (Persero) and PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero).4) Westconnex Motorway, AustraliaThe Westconnex Motorway will provide a link between Westerm Sydney, Sydney Airport and the Port Botany in New South Wales. The US$13bn project includes the construction of a 33km road — connecting the country’s M4 and M5 motorways — to be delivered in three stages. Stage I involves the construction of 13km of road, including the construction of the M4 east link between Homebush and Haberfield. Additionally, it includes the upgrade of the Concord Road interchange and the realignment of surface roads at City West Link and Parramatta Road.Stage II includes the widening of the existing M5 East to eight lanes from the Kings Georges Road interchange, and 9km of twin tunnels. Construction in this stage is expected to be complete by 2019.Stage III involves the construction of an 8.5km, three-lane road tunnel between Stage I at Haberfield and Stage II at St Peters. Construction work is expected to commence in late 2018 and be completed by 2023.Construction on the motorway has started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.The project’s contractors include Samsung C&T Corporation, CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Fulton Hogan Australia Pty Ltd, John Holland Pty Ltd, Rizzani de Eccher S.p.A., CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Dragados S.A. and sub-contractor Samsung C&T Corporation.5) Lahore-Karachi Motorway, PakistanThe National Highway Authority of Pakistan is undertaking the construction of the Lahore-Karachi Motorway project with the aim of reducing journey times and congestion. The $7bn project includes the construction of a 1,152km dual six-lane motorway to be executed in four sections. The first section involves the construction of a 136km, six-lane motorway from Hyderabad to Karachi, while the second includes the construction of a 296km motorway from Hyderabad to Sukkur.The third stage includes the construction of a 387km motorway from Sukkur to Multan and the fourth section the construction of a 333km motorway from Multan to Lahore.Furthermore, bridges, underpasses, footpaths, cycleways and service roads are being constructed.Construction work commenced in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.The chosen contractors for the project include Frontier Works Organization, China Railway Zoth Bureau Group and Zahir Khan & Brothers. 6) Longchuan to Huaiji Highway, ChinaThe on-going Longchuan to Huaiji Highway project has been announced in 2013 and is expected to increase mobility and provide a smooth flow of traffic.For this effect, a 368km-long and 26m-wide highway is being constructed in Guangdong, China. The $6.6bn project also includes the construction of walkways, flyovers, a 26m-wide roadbed, and a toll plaza, along with the installation of signalling and lighting systems. Construction work — by Guangdong Hualu Transportation Technology Co Ltd — is expected to be complete in 2018.7) G75 Lanhai Expressway: Weiyuan-Wudu section, ChinaThe G75 Lanhai Expressway will connect the region of Weiyuan to Wudu in Gansu, China. The $5.8bn project involves the construction of a 244km highway, including bridges, tunnels, interchanges, walkways and tollbooths. It will also include the installation of signalling and lighting systems. The expressway is being delivered in 23 sections and construction work in section 4 and 6 is now underway. Construction work started this year and is expected to be complete in 2019.8) Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway widening, Hong KongThe Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway is set to provide a good transport link between Island House Interchange and Fanling in Hong Kong.To help to achieve that aim, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Highways Department is widening roads and constructing new bridges.The $5.6bn development also includes the construction of a carriageway, noise barriers, retaining walls, water-mains, drainage and sewerage, geotechnical and landscaping works, as well as the installation of fire hydrants and sign boards.Construction work started in 2009 and is being delivered in two phases. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Phase I was awarded to Gammon Construction Limited and China State Construction Engineering Limited, while a Hyder Consulting, Arup and Black & Veatch joint venture secured the design-build for phase II.Phase I has been completed and phase II is now under construction. The highway is expected to be complete by 2018.9) Altanbulag-Ulaanbaatar-Zamyn Uud Highway, MongoliaThe highway, almost 1,000km long, will connect the regions of Altanbulag and Zamyn Uud in Mongolia.The scope of the project includes the construction of a 367km highway from Altanbulag to Ulaanbaatar and 630km of highway from Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn Uud.The $5bn project — aimed at reducing traffic congestion — also involves the construction of ramps, lane dividers, pedestrian ways, as well as the installation of lighting systems. The highway is being built by the Chinggis Land Development Group (CLDG) — in a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis. Construction work started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. 10) Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway – ChinaThe $4.7bn Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway project was announced by the Sichuan Transport Investment Group Co in 2012.The project involves the construction of a two-way, four-lane 173km-long highway in Sichuan, China. It also includes the construction of tunnels, bridges, concrete pavements, service area and related infrastructure.Construction work started in 2014 and is expected to be complete in 2017.The EPC contractor for the project is CCCC Fourth Highway Engineering Co., Ltd.11) State Highways Improvement II – IndiaState Highways Improvement II project is set to improve the road network in Karnataka, India.The $4.5bn project involves the construction of 830km of two-lane highway in the first phase and 633km in the second phase.The highway is being delivered on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer basis.Construction work started in 2011 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.12) Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade, AustraliaThe Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is undertaking the Pacific Highway upgrade with the aim of reducing travel times and cost for the people.The US$4.3bn project involves the upgrade of four-lane, 155km dual carriageway between Woolgoolga and Ballina on the North Coast of New South Wales. The development — being developed in 11 sections — includes the construction of 10 grade-separated interchanges, access bridges, overpasses, viaducts, cross-drainage bridges, service roads and a 1.5km new four-lane Harwood bridge over the Clarence River.The scope of the work also includes the installation of signalling and safety systems. The latest contract for the project was awarded to Ferrovial and Acciona consortium in July 2016 for the design-build of Harwood Bridge.Works on the first and second sections are underway. The entire project — expected to reduce travel times by up to 25 minutes — is scheduled for completion in 2020.13) Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade, MalaysiaThe Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade project consists in the upgrading of 1,663km of carriageway from Borneo States of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.The highway is being upgraded from a single-carriageway into a dual-carriageway.The scope of the work also includes the construction of bridges, pedestrian ways, and other related infrastructural facilities as well as the installation of signalling and safety systems.Lebuhaya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the $4.2bn project — being developed in different stages. Construction work started in 2015 and is scheduled for completion in 2023.* For more information on road projects, visit Timetric's Construction Intelligence Center.
If you believe the old song, the M25 motorway that circles London is ‘The Road to Hell’. But while many motorists may be inclined to agree with that sentiment — particularly during the coming bank holiday weekend — there are plenty of roads around the globe that offer much more than traffic jams and suspect hotdogs from service stations. From those that take in remarkable natural scenery, through to those constructed using innovative technologies — we look at some of the world’s most interesting roads.1) The Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
As technologies for road construction advance, so too do the highways that connect cities, countries, and even continents. We look at the seven longest roads in the world today.1) Pan-American Highway, American continent
John Deere has entered into a partnership with HCSS to enhance its construction machinery data communication and analysis system WorkSight.The partnership will also focus on the incorporation of Deere’s JDLink machine monitoring system into HCSS’s software.The partnership was one of the results of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) working with major machine manufacturers to standardise the telematics data available for integration into other applications, known as the Application Programming Interface (API).Liz Quinn, John Deere WorkSight product marketing manager, said: “Our partnership with HCSS empowers customers to leverage the existing telematics connection on their John Deere equipment and see their JDLink machine data in the powerful HCSS tool suite in conjunction with other telematic brands. “In addition, customers will be able to easily link from the HCSS application to the MyJohnDeere.com environment when they need to order parts, manuals, or have a closer look at a John Deere machine in the JDLink Dashboard. Seeing all brands of telematics data in one application optimizes a customer’s fleet management decisions and eliminates manual data entry and jumping from one manufacturer’s portal to the next.”Matthew DiTarando, John Deere customer and IT manager at Comanco Environmental Corporation, said: “We look forward to utilizing the open JDLink Machine Data API and integrating that vital telematics data into our HCSS products. Combining these two into one cohesive system will enable us to thrust our fleet department forward into a future of advanced planning of scheduled maintenance utilizing real-time telematics.”HCSS has been testing the JDLink Machine Data API, which is scheduled to launch later this year.WorkSight incorporates five technologies: the JDLink Telematics, Machine Health Prognostics, Remote Diagnostics and ProgrammingPayload Weighing and Grade Control.
The European and Indian construction machinery markets have shown growth this year, while other regions have seen a slow-down, according to Germany’s engineering association the VDMA.Latest research from the Construction Equipment and Building Material Machinery arm of the VDMA suggests that the machinery sector has grown in regions including France, Germany and India. The Middle East and North America, on the other hand, have registered drops in machinery sales, in addition to the weak markets of Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia. After five years of recession, China still hasn’t recovered from a loss of an accumulated 80% of its volume, says the report.The research also anticipates a drop in the global construction machinery sales due to regional developments, even though German manufacturers are set to register a slight turnover increase of 3%.Johann Sailer, VDMA chairman, said: “This is primarily due to the strong European market.”However, growth might not be equal for all manufacturers, added Sailer: “Depending on where a company’s focuses lie individual results could still be on the negative side.”Building material machinery updateThe report from the VDMA also examines the building material plant and machinery business.The sector is subject to less instability than the construction machinery sector. Nevertheless, manufacturers depend on long-term stable growth markets and these are deficient at the moment — due to the Russian market breakdown. Only Central Europe, India and North America are rated as satisfactory.Overcapacities also present a challenge for manufacturers. When it comes to this, the sector automatically thinks about China, says the association.“We don’t expect suppliers from China to flood the market with their equipment but the trend is clear – when domestic markets are weak companies shift to export markets,” said Sailer.In addition, political and economic uncertainties are present in many sectors. “We don’t want to just keep talking about crises and many current issues do not even have a direct impact on the construction sector. But obviously, news of this kind always affect the investment climate among our customers,” said Sailer.Overall, the VDMA concluded that “the construction equipment and building material machinery industry is indeed a growth sector”.
Australia-based company Fastbrick Robotics has developed a giant truck-mounted robot that can construct an entire house in two days. Hadrian X can lay up 1,000 bricks an hour using a 28ft arm. The robot uses 3D scans to work out where to lay down the bricks, which are fed to the machine’s conveyor, then passed along the arm into a laser-guided claw. The claw grabs and lays them down using construction glue instead of cement.The smart machine cuts bricks to size and leaves spaces between them for wiring and plumbing.Fastbrick Robotics’ founder Mark Pivac told Perth Now: "People have been laying bricks for about 6,000 years and ever since the industrial revolution, they have tried to automate the bricklaying process."We're at a technological nexus where a few different technologies have got to the level where it's now possible to do it, and that's what we've done."It is estimated that the robot can build between 100-300 houses a year — without needing tea breaks, holidays or weekends off.Hadrian X took ten years to be developed and $4.5M in research and development. According to Fastbrick Robotics, it will take about a year before the machine will be launched onto the market.
You might think that tunnels are always built by professionals, with an obvious and practical purpose — to transport people, to reach a deposit of coal or diamonds, to transport water, and so on. For some, however, digging a tunnel is a hobby, a distraction, an escape, a way of expanding their houses underground or even a way to exercise — we look at some of the tunnels built by ordinary people around the world. 1. Elton Macdonald
A selection of current construction work and studies shows hydropower’s wide range, says Patrick Reynolds. Numerous hydropower and pumped storage projects are in construction or planning across the globe, and International Water Power & Dam Construction (IWP&DC) briefly notes progress and developments on a selection in Asia, Europe, North America and South America, and also the Middle East.A major hydropower scheme that is well advanced is the Ulu Jelai project, in Malaysia. Being constructed by Salini Impregilo, the project involves significant surface and underground works.Both surface and underground works feature in the Foz Tua pumped storage project, in Portugal, and which is also at an advanced stage. The project involves construction of a 108m-high double-curvature arch dam.Developing hydropower where a new dam is not needed, efforts are pushing ahead in the US to exploit existing lock and dams structures, such as the run-of-river projects being undertaken by power company American Municipal Power (AMP) on the Ohio River. The plants under construction include 72MW Smithland.Statkraft may give the go-ahead this year for two run-of-river projects in Chile, following an acquisition in 2015. However, following a recent review of its investment programme it has yet to decide what action it will take.Many further projects are coming, and a few among those include recent awards for consultants MWH Global and ÅF, respectively, in South America, Europe and the Middle East.Malaysia: Ulu JelaiConstruction of the 383MW Ulu Jelai hydropower project, in Malaysia, has been underway since 2011 and is well advanced, including the recent milestone completion of the Susu roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam.Ulu Jelai is being developed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in Pahang state, approximately 200km north of the capital Kuala Lumpur. It is one of five hydro projects being built at present to help stabilise the power grid.The project is located on Bertam River, and involves major dam and tunnel works. The rated net head of the scheme is approximately 360m.Key features of the project include the Susu reservoir on Bertam River, and to which water is conveyed by transfer tunnels from the Lemoi and Telom rivers, running on opposite sides of the main river. Lemoi and Telom are tributaries of Bertam and naturally join the main river downstream of the project location but are being tapped with offtake weirs at higher elevations. The tunnels have lengths of 7.5km and 8.5km, respectively.Water flows from Susu reservoir down a 9.5m-diameter unlined headrace tunnel to the underground powerhouse complex, holding a pair of 191MW Francis turbines. Ulu Jelai is expected to generate approximately 326GWh of electricity annually.Salini Impregilo is main contractor on the scheme, which is nearing completion.The Susu RCC dam is more than 80m-high with a crest length of 512.5m. Its volume is approximately 750,000m3, the contractor said.The volume of other concrete works on the project is approximately 190,000m3. Surface excavations and earth moving has involved more than 3M m3 of material.Underground construction has been performed by both TBM boring and drill and blast excavation. In total, the project has called for excavation of 26km of tunnels and also the powerhouse cavern complex. The TBMs were used to bore 15km of tunnels, and 11km of excavation of undertaken by drill and blast.Salini Impregilo notes that the total underground rock excavation is approximately 800,000m3.
What links novelty personalised figurines, prosthetic body parts, components for cars and fighter jets, jewellery, guitars — and now, houses?They’re all on the list of objects that have been created using 3D printing technology. And while some of those projects will probably prove to be passing fads — feel free to take a moment at this stage to Google the inexplicable Japanese trend of printing models of Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves looking sad, if you really must — the use of 3D printing to produce entire buildings is gathering momentum.A few years ago, 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) was used in the construction sector mainly to produce construction components and niche parts, such as interior-decorating features, lighting effects and furniture. In recent years construction companies and national governments raised the bar with ambitious projects to 3D-print bigger and bigger structures. The goal was set: 3D print entire buildings. The challenge was laid down and the industry could only wait for the first buildings to rise. And they did. In several countries 3D-printed projects have been initiated, and in some they have now been finished. That is the case in Dubai, where the world’s first 3D-printed office building has recently opened its doors. The 250sq m single-storey building has been built in just 17 days using a 20ft tall 3D printer and a special mix of concrete — fibre-reinforced plastic and glass fibre-reinforced gypsum. The gigantic printer was 120ft long and 40ft wide and ‘worked’ almost alone, as it only needed one staffer to make sure it was functioning properly. The rest of the 18-person construction crew consisted of installers, electricians and mechanical engineers who completed the project for just a mere $140,000 in construction and labour costs, about half price of a comparable structure built using conventional methods. The building is set to have a practical use as the temporary headquarters for the Dubai Future Foundation, becoming home of Dubai’s Museum of the Future next year. The opening follows the launch of the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’ and the forecast that a quarter of buildings in Dubai will have 3D-printed elements by 2030.
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