Features

High productivity and value for money are two benefits claimed by the new generation of soil compactors - Mike Woof reports. The market for soil compaction machines looks to be growing more competitive as new manufacturers enter the sector. This is particularly noticeable now that Chinese firm LiuGong has moved into the sector. Meanwhile new design concepts are also allowing firms to develop much larger and more powerful machines than ever before. The choice for contractors is a wide one and manufacturers a

A new generation of asphalt compaction technology is coming to market, reports Mike Woof. The market for rubber tyred compactors has grown in recent years, prompting manufacturers to develop a new generation of machines.

Earthmoving machines remain the backbone of construction operations - writes Mike Woof. ADTs, excavators and wheeled loaders play pivotal roles in most construction jobs with the earthmoving stage providing a key component of most projects.

Efficient earthmoving is allowing productive road construction in the Egyptian desert, Mike Woof reports. Despite ferocious desert temperatures, efficient earthmoving operations will help build new road links in Southern Egypt. Close to the Egyptian city of Assuit, the contractor Orascom is working on three key desert highway projects that will provide vital transport connections for the country's growing economy.

When the main commuter route into Cardiff, the Welsh capital, began to suffer from acute deformation, the Vale of Glamorgan Council required a durable and faster alternative to hot rolled asphalt to ensure minimum disruption for local road users.

A new PMB plant has opened in Dubai as part of the French Total Group's plans to expand in the Middle East. As part of the Total Group's plans for expansion in Middle East countries, a decision was taken in 2008 to include specific facilities dedicated to supply raw bitumen and to manufacture polymer modified bitumen (PMB).

GPS machine control for earthworks and concrete paving is helping to fast track construction of an irrigation canal in Turkey - Claire Symes reports. The Turkish economy is expected to flourish as a result of construction of a new irrigation channel currently underway in the east of the country. This canal is benefiting from the latest concrete paving and earthmoving technology and will bring with it prosperity to a deprived area of the country. But the project is already taking the lead in terms of Turkish

Built in the shadow of the Hoover Dam, a new bridge is set to takes its place as another major tourist attraction. Patrick Smith reports

How is it that New Zealand's recent large and destructive earthquake did so little damage to the bridges in the quake zone? Mary Searle investigates. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit the Canterbury region in New Zealand at 4.35am on Saturday, 4 September was similar in size to the quake that shook Haiti in January. However, the damage in Canterbury was minimal in comparison. A key contributor to this was New Zealand's preparedness for such an event. Positioned on a major fault line, New Zealand has ear

Innovative developments are pushing forward concrete road construction techniques. The concrete road sector looks to benefit from some key innovations and developments now coming to market or being employed in different territories. Irregular weather and environmental conditions can alter the rate at which concrete cures, with a risk of plastic shrinkage cracks that can compromise the integrity of a pavement. Contractors cannot control the environmental conditions of a paving project and when weather patter

Volvo CE says that lowering fuel consumption will tackle fleet costs and deliver environmental benefits for its customers, Mike Woof reports. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is targeting fuel economy and performance with its latest generation of machines. The new L180F and L220F wheeled loader models are being fitted with the sophisticated OptiShift package, which will boost operation and driveline efficiencies and cut fuel consumption by 15%, and more in some instances.

At its annual plenary meeting held on 25 May 2010, during the 16th IRF World Meeting in Lisbon, the European Road Federation (ERF) elected a new President in the person of Jacobo Díaz Pineda.

Introducing an Indian business leader committed to combating the 'perfect plague' of deaths on the country's roads