Intelligent Compaction is the key to long-lasting, durable surfaces In the realm of road construction, compaction is considered one of the most important processes in pavement and roadway surface construction. It is necessary in order to attain high quality and uniformity of pavement materials, which in turn better ensures the long-lasting performance of the road. …

ELE shortlisted for British Engineering Excellence Award ELE International has been shortlisted for the British Engineering Excellence Awards 2019. ELE’s selection relates to the development of a new soils testing instrument, which will compete in the ‘New Mechanical Product of the Year’ category. The new AUTO Soils Consolidator (ASC) has been developed for the construction …

Water Quality Monitoring in the spotlight at latest IQ Webinar Discover how to maximise the effectiveness of water quality monitoring, whilst also minimising cost, at this month’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar from the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy. The webinar focuses on knowledge and innovation from 12:30-13:00 on Thursday 29 August. Delivered by environmental specialist, …

Why oil analysis is essential for your machinery Oil is the lifeblood of a machine. Regular checks and oil analysis help monitor its health, which is vital for maintaining maximum uptime and and minimum total cost of ownership. It increases profits Oil analysis is an unbeatable tool in increasing machine performance and productivity, which means …

ELE Soiltest PRO range now includes AUTO Soils Consolidator ELE International has launched the AUTO Soils Consolidator (ASC), which is the company’s latest addition to the ELE Soiltest PRO range of advanced soils testing equipment. “By automating the test, we can create new levels of accuracy and reliability in the test results,” says ELE MD …

The Concrete Maturity Method and why you should validate your maturity curve The maturity method is an ASTM-standardized, non-destructive test method for estimating concrete strength that provides real-time results. Typically, cylinders and beams are required to be cast and broken for quality control and 28-day acceptance. It is common practice to simply cast and break …

TankCare Fuel Certification Scheme looking to protect distributors Leading fuel experts OTS TankCare have created an independent fuel certification scheme for fuel distributors that has been authorised by the FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers). The unique TankCare FQC (Fuel Quality & Certification) Scheme is designed to mitigate against one of the biggest risks facing fuel …

Measuring runway friction before and after shotblasting at San Antonio Airport When planes land at airports, small amounts of rubber wear off the tires leaving a rubber residue behind on the runway. Rubber build-up on the pavement causes a loss of friction that, if allowed to go unchecked, will cause a reduction in aircraft braking …

GSSI releases improved StructureScan Mini XT GPR GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, announces the release of a major software update for the StructureScan™ Mini XT – the newest generation of GSSI’s popular all-in-one concrete inspection GPR system. The update expands StructureScan™ Mini XT capabilities with an increased depth range, …

SOCOTEC acquires Survey Associates to strengthen infrastructure monitoring SOCOTEC, the leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services in the UK, has enhanced its monitoring capabilities with the acquisition of Survey Associates Ltd, specialists in high quality manual survey monitoring, correlation and topographical surveys. Based in Uckfield, East Sussex, Survey Associates Ltd is actively involved …

GSSI highlights PaveScan RDM Asphalt Density Assessment Tool at World of Asphalt 2019 GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, announces that it will feature its industry-leading PaveScan® RDM asphalt density assessment tool at the World of Asphalt 2019 Show and Conference, to be held Feb 12-14, 2019 at the Indiana …

A complete system for Ground Penetrating Radar surveys of utilities Challenge To bring their latest industry-leading Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems to market, Geophysical Survey Systems Inc. (GSSI) needed a capable, flexible controller platform for use with their highly specialized devices. After years of operating with a custom controller that couldn’t always keep up with …

Maine DOT uses GPR Tech to ensure optimum pavement density throughout pavement layer The State of Maine Department of Transportation is at the forefront of research on how to improve road pavement quality and extend service life. They focus on improving both the material mixes used and how they are put down in the field. …

GSSI showcases innovative PaveScan RDM Asphalt Density Assessment Tool GSSI, a world leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, announces that it will feature its industry-leading PaveScan RDM asphalt density assessment tool at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 98th Annual Meeting, which takes place January 13-17, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center …

MIT system monitors radiation damage to materials in real-time In order to evaluate a material’s ability to withstand the high-radiation environment inside a nuclear reactor, researchers have traditionally used a method known as “cook and look,” meaning the material is exposed to high radiation and then removed for a physical examination. But that process is …

Technique inspired by dolphins could improve tests of soft materials such as drying cement When you deform a soft material such as Silly Putty, its properties change depending on how fast you stretch and squeeze it. If you leave the putty in a small glass, it will eventually spread out like a liquid. If you …

Boschung salt measuring device SOBO 3+ comes with new reporting app Besides showing the r-weather multi-sensor, Boschung exhibits at the Pollutec tradeshow in Lyon another new product: the SOBO 3+. The SOBO 3+ is a mobile measuring device that works without external energy and determines within a few seconds the residual salt content (in g/m2) …

Liebherr Tower Cranes conclude test phase for first high-tensile fibre ropes Working with Austrian rope manufacturer, Teufelberger, Liebherr has developed a new type of high-tensile fibre rope for hoisting applications which will increase the lifting capacity. During the development project, more than 100 different fibre rope prototypes, measuring around 70,000 metres in length, were developed. …

MP Futures develop Product Sampling and Testing Operator specific apprenticeships MP Futures is proud to announce the new Mineral and Construction Product Sampling and Testing Operator Apprenticeship in England, a versatile apprenticeship for sampling and testing the range of high-quality products produced in the mineral products sector, with a £9,000 funding band this apprenticeship provides …

Testing soils in construction Soils form the structural foundation for almost all construction work, making soil testing very important as failure to test soils adequately and correctly would introduce high levels of financial and safety risks. Before a construction project commences, it is important to know which types of soil underlay the proposed structure. It …

Eye in the sky set to provide a better railway for passengers in Southern England Network Rail are now using a helicopter across the south western rail network as part of the drive to provide better journeys for passengers. Inspecting the railway by air allows Network Rail to deliver improvements to performance, reliability and safety, …

Haver and Boecker proves increased Screen Media longevity through Field Testing Through extensive field testing, equipment manufacturer Haver and Boecker is now offering their Ty-Max and Ty-Wire screen media for aggregate and mining applications with longer wear life. “Product testing is an ongoing process conducted to ensure products are not only meeting customer expectations, but exceeding …

Structural Design Guide for Porous Asphalt is now available Porous asphalt pavements are a green infrastructure solution that provides the performance, ease of construction, and functionality of traditional asphalt pavements but with a permeable structure that helps manage stormwater. Commonly used for parking lots and other light-duty applications, full-depth porous asphalt pavements are increasingly being …

Estonian project measures the retroreflectivity their road markings In 2017, the Estonian Road Administration (ERA) carried out a pilot project measuring the retroreflectivity of road markings on all main state roads, altogether 3,721.6 kilometres, in Estonia. Retroreflectivity of a material is one technology used to enhance the readability and perception of information displayed in low-light …

A first in Pavement Striping Assessment for the USA Striping Service and Supply, Inc. (SSS) is the first USA striping contractor certified by TxDOT to operate the RetroTek-MU road striping Retro-reflectometer. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) stringent certification program provides a quantitative basis for evaluating the ability of a contractor to operate their retro-reflectometer …

ELE launches new geotechnical testing software ELE International has launched a new version of its dedicated software for soils testing to BS, ASTM and AASTHO standards. Designed specifically for geotechnical laboratories, the new DS 7.3 software contains a range of advanced features including compatibility with Microsoft Windows 10, Office 2016 and 365. Providing the ability …

Viaduct section of the Hong Kong to Macau Bridge passes load testing Following the announcement of the complete connection of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Hong Kong Link Road on May 18, 2017, the Highways Department has now announced that the road surfacing works and road facilities of the about 9.4 km long viaducts, 1 km long …

A to Z of Friction Testing for Highways and Runways The summer months are upon us now and as the weather warms up, rain subsides and resurfacing is in full swing survey vehicles all across the country are out collect data on Skid Resistance on local authority and trunk roads. With ever decreasing budgets and …

ELE release rugged penetrometers for field-testing concrete and soils Pocket penetrometers have been manufactured by ELE International for decades, but as part of the company’s continuous product development programme, two new rugged versions are now available. “The most important feature of the new penetrometers is that they are made from ground and polished stainless steel …

American Concrete Institute expands mission to focus on Global Concrete Standards The American Concrete Institute announces that its mission has been expanded to reflect its proactive approach to advocating the global adoption of ACI standards. ACI – a leading authority and resource worldwide for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials – …

GSSI showcases their latest GPR Technology at World of Concrete 2018 GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be highlighting its latest GPR technology at the 2018 World of Concrete conference, to be held January 23-26, 2018, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Booth #C3719. On …

Construction Lab Technician admits faking test results on mega bridge project The 55km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and tunnel project started in 2011 and will link the three major cities of Zhuhai in mainland China, with Hong Kong and Macau. The project has been plagued by 270 accidents, 10 deaths, 600 injuries, extensive delays and a …

GSSI showcases their latest GPR technology at World of Concrete 2018 GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be highlighting its latest GPR technology at the 2018 World of Concrete conference, to be held January 23-26, 2018, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Booth #C3719. On …

ELE introduce new technology for concrete and cement testing ELE International has launched a new automatic control unit for concrete and cement testing. The ADR Touch Control Pro system brings the latest technology into the materials testing laboratory, whilst also combining a wide range of new features that have been developed specifically in response to …

Cold Recycling with Foamed Bitumen: A pioneering formula Resource-saving technologies are more in demand than ever before. The Wirtgen cold recycling process has been proving its credentials for many years – and already meets the demands of tomorrow and utilising foamed bitumen takes that even further. Roads that are subjected to continuous and heavy traffic …

RetroTek-MU is the first dynamic mobile retro-reflectometer to be certified to ASTM E 1710 The RetroTek-MU is the first dynamic mobile retro-reflectometer to be certified to ASTM E 1710 capable of measuring road markings / striping across the full width of a traffic lane simultaneously in one pass at traffic speeds up to 75 mph …

Wirtgen introduces compact laboratory-scale foamed bitumen plant Whether users of cold recycling equipment, a specialist laboratory for road construction or research institute: the WLB 10 S from Wirtgen is the ideal assistant to contractors or consulting experts for cold recycling applications with foamed bitumen. Precise test series for determining the ideal foamed bitumen properties are …

Balfour Beatty and West Sussex County Council trial drone technology for bridge inspections West Sussex County Council, in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, has begun trialling the use of drones to inspect bridges across the county. Trials have so far been held at Swan Bridge in Pulborough and Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham-By-Sea resulting …

GSSI will showcase their updated GPR Technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 GSSI, the leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be showcasing its latest GPR technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017, to be held 7 to 11 march, 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA – Booth # S-62452. Technology to be featured …

New Radio Wave Technology Assesses Asphalt Integrity Real time information on asphalt density and uniformity is a boon to construction quality efforts Properly compacted asphalt is a major factor in the lifespan of roads, since inadequately compacted asphalt deteriorates at a more rapid rate than properly compacted material.  With the billions spent on road construction …

Geophysical Survey Systems Inc (GSSI) is the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment as featured in the video above, which is used for a range of applications such as archaeology, geology and environmental, utility detection, concrete inspection and bridge and road condition assessment. GSSI’s New PaveScan RDM Asphalt Density Assessment Tool For …

Runway Rehabilitation Works Here’s a brilliant video showing the stages and techniques of runway rehabilitation, including earthworks, paving, striping, testing and all the ancillary works that go alongside a major project such as this.