An Overview Of Cement Mixers And Other Equipment

The cement is heavily used material in the construction industry. It is a material used in the construction of various structures, like commercial and residential buildings, roads and highways, bridges, water dams and many other solid structures. People often think that cement and concrete are same things. But however a distinction should be made, because concrete and cement are two different things. Generally, cement is used in the creation of concrete among several other ingredients. Portable cement mixers are usually used in the creation of the concrete. The portable cement mixers come in various forms, shapes, sizes, powered by electricity or by diesel engines. The following text presents a short overview about cement, portable cement mixers and concrete plants.

The cement is generally a binder material. This material hardens and sets independently, and allows other materials to bind together. Even the ancient Romans used the cement as binder. The cement which is used in the construction industry can be hydraulic or non hydraulic. The hydraulic type hardens because of the hydration. During the hydration, chemical reaction occurs independently of the water mixture. The cement mixture hardens when water is added, or when it is exposed to wet conditions. The non hydraulic cement type on the other hand, needs to be in dry condition in order to maintain its strength.

The portable cement mixer usually is consisted of three parts: a rotating drum, a motor and a chute. In the portable cement mixer several materials are mixed, and the end result is concrete. Usually, a combination of cement, water, gravel and sand is mixed together in the creation of concrete. The rotating drum of the portable cement mixer spins all these materials, and a homogenous mixture is created. Because the final product is concrete, many people call this machine a concrete mixer. The portable cement mixers vary in their sizes, depending on the amount of concrete that needs to be created. For small construction projects like home renovations, a small portable cement mixer is the ideal choice. While for much larger projects like building construction, bigger and more sophisticated concrete equipment is required. Usually, the construction managers and engineers decide what type of portable cement mixers are needed for the job.

Concrete plants are described as facilities where concrete is being created by using special concrete mixing equipment. They can either central mix plants or ready mix plants. The ready mix concrete plant mixes all materials except water. A special ready mix concrete truck transports the mixture and slowly adds water during the transportation. Central mix concrete plant combines and mixes all ingredients, including water, at one central location where the concrete is needed. The central mix concrete plant is more suitable option because it ensures uniformity and continuous delivery of concrete where and when is needed.

Surveying Tools And Accessories: Old And New - Part 2

Continuing from part 1...

Surveying Tools And Accessories- New. Today, thanks to the latest technological developments, many different improved and advanced surveying tools and accessories are available to the land surveyors for completing various kinds of surveying tasks. With the introduction of the GPS, or the global positioning system, the surveying techniques and methods are totally changed. Today the GPS technology accelerates the surveying procedures and increases the accuracy of the measurements. With the help of 24 satellites into the Earth's atmosphere, the GPS enables the surveyors to gather more accurate and precise data like never before. Different GPS devices are available to the surveyors depending on their needs, from simple to more advanced night vision GPS devices which enable the surveyors to perform measurements during the night. But however the GPS cannot be used in highly dense forest areas or for concrete constructions. For such applications a device known as total station is used to support the GPS.

The total station actually is a theodolite equipped with a electronic distance measurement device, or shortly known as EDMD. The introduction of the total station is another main reason, along with the introduction of the GPS, for the big changes in the surveying field. The EDMD has transformed the surveying tool from being optical mechanical device to digital electronic device. The total station is also used for leveling. New total stations come equipped with atmospheric correction and auto focus. These new devices incorporate quick measuring mode and high data storage capacity for increased efficiency and productivity. The new total station models provide the opportunity for longer distance measurement and monitoring. Modern total stations are mainly used for:

• General purpose angle measurement
• General purpose distance measurement
• Control of surveys
• Contour and detail mapping
• Construction work

The modern surveying tools that are heavily used today by the surveyors are generally a combination of these useful devices.

There is a broad range of surveying tools available today for completing different surveying tasks. Each surveying tool comes with unique features, configurations and specifications. The selection of a certain surveying tool is determined by the nature of the surveying work, and the accuracy level which is required. Although all these surveying tools that are available to the surveyors offer multiple options, a specific knowledge is required so that accurate data can be gathered in a timely manner. By knowing exactly how to use the surveying tools, surveyors can complete their work in a more efficient manner. 

Surveying Tools And Accessories: Old And New - Part 1

The surveyors are needed for every construction project. They perform all the necessary land measurements which are required by the construction architects and engineers. In order to perform accurate measurements, the surveyors use different kinds of surveying tools and surveying accessories. Their work depends heavily on their surveying equipment for gathering precise and accurate information easily and quickly. Many different kinds of surveying tools have been developed over the years to help the surveyors when measuring different ground parameters. For every land parameter different and specific surveying tools are needed. 

The following text will describe the surveying tools, both old and new, that can be found on the market, and will highlight the importance of the main surveying tools which are used by the surveyors.

Surveying Tools And Accessories- Old. Many years ago, in ancient times, the main surveying equipment was consisted of chains, transit, solar and traditional compass, theodolite and other surveying tools. The chains were used for measuring the distance between two different points. The compass was needed for measuring the direction of a particular ground line. Solar compass was used by the surveyors for measuring the latitude and the direction of certain point with the help of the stars and the sun. A smaller metallic tape was used for measuring short distances.

With time, the surveying techniques and the surveying tools became more advanced and improved. More simple and advanced theodolite was developed for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, and basic level was used for measuring different heights. Measuring wheels were introduced to help the surveyors when measuring long distances in a relatively short time. These surveying tools were available in two main types: mechanical and electrical.

From the 1900s, the surveyors started to use more advanced and technologically improved surveying tools and surveying accessories such as: automatic levels, planimeters, theodolites and other tools for more accurate measurements. The surveying planimeter was used for asymmetrical land areas measurements, whereas the theodolites helped the surveyors a lot in measuring horizontal and vertical angles. The new theodolite that was introduced was consisted of one rotating telescope that was attached on a perpendicular axis. The auto level is another useful surveying tool that was used by the surveyors mainly for horizontal level measurements. In the past most of the surveying tools were mounted on a tripod, which provided additional support for the surveying tools. As the name indicates, the tripod was designed with three legs with different lengths. Many of the previously mentioned surveying tools and accessories like the theodolites, planimeter, tripod and many others are still used today by the modern surveyors.

Continue reading to part 2...

Facts About Cranes Sold In Australia

The construction industry in Australia every year is growing very rapidly. Because of that, there is always need for heavy construction machines that are capable to perform different kind of tasks and to work in different climate and ground conditions. One particular construction machine that is widely used all over Australia is the crane. The crane is heavy lifting machine that is generally used for lifting and moving heavy loads horizontally and vertically. What makes the crane to be so widely used is the capability to reach heights up to 100 meters. These machines can be found at every construction site in different sizes and shapes. From the classic tower crane to more specific crane models like the helicopter crane, there is always high demand for available cranes for sale in Australia. Every year large number of construction companies and private contractors all over Australia either purchase or rent different models of cranes for different purposes like building residential buildings, building skyscrapers, bridges, water dams, roads and highways and etc. Here are the most common facts about the cranes sold all over Australia.

The largest mobile crane in Australia is the Palfinger PK 74002 and it is owned by the Adelaide based City Crane Trucks. This heavyweight crane provides high performance, excellent strength, and its innovative technology ensures high level of lifting capacity. Features like dual power system and power link plus make the Palfinger PK 74002 to be used for various applications and tasks. With lifting capacity of around 15 tones, this mobile crane has been in high demand all over Adelaide and beyond.

The biggest harbor crane in Australia is used in Gladstone. The Liebherr Mobile harbor Crane 550 Litronic addresses large volumes of oversized cargo loads that are coming everyday through the port in Gladstone, while at the same time increasing the productivity level. This mobile harbor crane is the largest, fastest and the newest model that is used in Australia. It has capability to transfer loads up to 160 tones on distances up to 25 meters.

Today cranes and other heavy construction machines can be purchased or rented through special heavy construction dealers, equipment brokers etc. What's new these days is the fact that these heavy machines can also be purchased or rented through online sites which are specialized for buying and selling online. There are many online site in Australia that offer different models of available cranes for sale in Australia. Every year large number of cranes and other construction machines are offered and sold through online sites. Crane models like: tower crane, truck crane and crawler crane are the most commonly searched and purchased cranes online in Australia. However the cranes are not the only construction machines that are being subject of trade on the Internet. Many other machines and items are being constantly sold through these special online sites.

Cranes from well known manufacturers like Grove, Liebherr, Terex, Link Belt, Broderson and many others can be found on every construction site all over Australia. For more information check online for available cranes for sale in Australia.

What Do You Need To Know About Roller Compactor?

A roller compactor, or compactor roller, is a piece of heavy-duty compaction machinery that can be very commonly seen on a construction site. It is used for compaction of fine particulate materials or asphalt, creating a flat, smooth surface and getting rid of the air voids. As the first roller compactor was powered by a steam engine, in some parts of the world the roller compactors are still known as steam rollers. There are many different types of roller compactors, but it is all about these two general types: single drum roller compactor and double drum roller compactor. The single drum roller compactor features a large steel drum and a set of rear wheels/tracks for moving the compactor forward, while the double drum roller compactor features two large steel rolling drums, which in fact, move the machine.

The single drum roller compactor is used for doing easy compaction jobs, such as to help in grading an uneven surfaces of soil. Due to its incredible maneuverability on uneven surfaces, it is also useful for compacting on dams, parking stations and on other types of fields. Its wheels or tracks help the roller compactor to keep the traction and easily overcome obstacles. The only disadvantage is that the single drum roller compactor is a bit heavy and in some cases might be interrupted from rolling over obstacles. The soil that needs to be compacted by a single drum roller compactor needs to be graded before using a complete grader compactor. After this procedure, the roller compactor can flatten the soil using a static force, which is being created by the weight and motion of the roller.

The double drum roller compactor, or also known as twin drum roller compactor, has only one big difference from the previous type of roller compactor and it is the additional vibrating drum that provides a higher compaction force. The twin drum roller has no rubber wheels or tracks, but two steel drums that move the machine forward. Whenever a small sized compaction job is needed, the twin drum roller is the first option. Not known for exceptional traction on many surfaces, but for asphalt or other similar materials the twin drum roller provides a great compaction. The twin drum roller has not so good maneuverability, because of its long turning radius. Its two steel drums create a flat and smooth surface without leaving track or tire divots.

The drum on the single drum roller compactor, or the drums on the double drum roller compactor, are mounted on an axle, supported by a massive frame. Typically, each single and double drum roller compactor moves very slowly to ensure that all materials are evenly compacted and all air or water voids are eliminated. On this way, the rollers may be needed to make a few passes over the same surface. The operators should sit in the cab above their rollers for a better visibility and their sit should be swivel so they be able to operate with their machines in both directions without turning entirely.

Advantages Of Drum Roller Compactor

The compaction equipment plays a vital role in the compaction processes. Effective, durable and high quality machines are needed for achieving excellent compaction results, especially when asphalt material is being compacted. Many different compaction machines are available with different configurations and characteristics. From small plate compactors to large compaction machines, every machine is used for certain purpose. But one particular machine that gained its popularity over the years thanks to its powerful performance is the drum roller compactor. It can be either single drum or double drum compactor. Today this compactor machine can be seen at every construction site and it is included in every road construction project. The following text will highlight what makes this compaction machine to be so popular and widely used.

The drum roller is designed to provide high reliability, to increase the productivity level and to offer higher operating economy along with excellent operation safety and serviceability. The perfect combination of amplitudes, centrifugal force and static weights makes the drum roller ideal machine for asphalt and soil applications, from finishing rolling to rolling sub base. Thanks to its excellent design and high maneuverability on the ground, the drum roller is a perfect choice for various applications such as residential streets, parking lots, highways, yards, access roads, airport fields etc. With weight of around 2.5 – 3.5 tons, the compaction roller has operating width of 1000 to 1200 mm, and it is capable to generate centrifugal force of around 25 – 45 kN.

Excellent performance is another advantage of the drum roller compactor. Most drum rollers are equipped with automatic vibration controls and have large fuel tanks that allows the machine to be used long enough so that any task can be completed on time. Water spraying system is also included to prevent the asphalt materials from sticking to the drums of the drum roller. For high performance, the drum rollers are designed with single piece circular eccentric shafts. The tandem or double drum compaction rollers can be operated at any of the following three modes: only static drums, one static and one vibrating drum, and two vibrating drums.

For a long life and usage, the drum roller compactors are designed to be easy machines for maintenance and service. Only regular and periodical checks or inspections on the most vulnerable parts of the roller are required. Low vibrations levels means that higher comfort is provided for the operator. In short, the drum rollers are excellent compact machines that are capable and designed to complete jobs of all sizes.