Concrete dowel drilling systems can face tough construction challenges
Posted by Liu Yi over 6 months ago
New technologies mean that concrete offers a highly competitive option for road construction. Some Latin American countries for example are planning to increase the numbers of roads built using concrete,intelligent sheep foot roller compactor having been attracted by the long working life this type of construction offers.
One of the biggest advances has been the development of stringless paving controls that use GPS and laser guidance tools. The construction industry has been using 3D control technology for elevation and slope control of earthmoving and paving equipment for a number of years. This allows contractors to eliminate the need for setting up stringlines on-site,sakai pneumatic tyred roller cutting surveying and set-out costs. The advance helps reduce the time needed for a particular job and makes a significant drop in overall project costs, while at the same time ensuring optimum paving quality and smoothness. Leica Geosystems, part of the Hexagon Group, has been at the forefront of developing the stringless technology, with German firm MOBA having also contributed with its machine control interfaces.
So far however, the use of this technology in the US highway sector has largely been limited to the grading operation and is not typically used for paving. Stringline has remained the preferred guidance method for slipform pavers,asphalt paver maintenance checklist despite this newer technology having been available for 10 years.
Stringline has been considered more reliable for paving operations than a stringless 3D system when it comes to meeting the strict smoothness specifications on highway projects. Contractors have been understandably cautious over risking bonuses linked to ride quality. However, there are major benefits of the stringless benefits with lower survey costs,used asphalt milling machine sale improved logistics allowing faster truck turnaround and safety, while product quality can be improved too. Most of the major concrete paving machine manufacturers have been working with Leica Geosystems to ensure the stringless technology can be used on the equipment. A series of trials have helped fine tune the systems and there have now been numerous job-site applications.