Tom KuennenRoadbuildingPavement preservation takes aim at InterstatesInterest is expanding from preservation of low- and medium-volume roads to that of high-volume, interstate-type pavements. “Preservation of high-traffic volume roadways is just as important as for low traffic volume roadways,” says Jim Moulthrop, executive director of FP2, formerly the Foundation for Pavement Preservation. “States have limited resources, and preservation makes those resources go farther.” […]July 29, 2016RoadbuildingHow the bond coat makes for long-lasting roads and how new materials are making it more effectiveExperts agree: For long-lived asphalt pavements and overlays, bond them with a well-placed bond or “tack” coat. But in practice, they’re not applied consistently, compromising the long-term performance of the bituminous surfacing. Understanding and correct placement of bond or tack coats is essential for long-lived asphalt pavements. New research underscores the importance of bond coats, […]July 21, 2016RoadbuildingBonded for Life: The cold milling equipment, techniques and technology for a super-smooth asphalt overlayA milled surface with the right pattern, grade and slope is the key to a super-smooth asphalt overlay that wins the smoothness, density and performance bonuses (now so critical to contractor profitability). In just over three decades, asphalt cold milling equipment, also called planers or grinders, has matured in terms of durability, complexity and choice […]March 22, 2016RoadbuildingNew research changing how you will build bridgesEliminating the “end-bump” in construction of bridge approaches … precast deck panels speeding bridge construction … quick seismic retrofits for bridge piers … and how rockets can speed construction of suspension bridges in isolated areas. Each of these topics will change how bridges will be built in the future, and they were among the themes in […]January 19, 2016RoadbuildingRoller Compacted Concrete gaining momentumWith its placement and quick-set advantages, the use of roller compacted concrete is gaining fresh energy among contractors and road agencies. “RCC is a concrete pavement formed from a no-slump mixture, and is characterized by its unique placement methodology, which requires no forms, and no joint cutting or sealing,” says Bill Davenport, vice president-communications, American […]January 4, 2016RoadbuildingOptimizing pavement levels of serviceA pavement’s level of service is a measure that combines a pavement’s design criteria – such as freeway, primary arterial, collector and local street or road—with traffic conditions such as speed, travel time, freedom to maneuver, user comfort and convenience, traffic interruptions and safety. As pavement performance and durability impacts a highway’s level of service […]October 9, 2015RoadbuildingSpeed of construction, longer lives drive new bridge designsThe need for speed in construction is driving much of the bridge design in this country. The burden to accomplish faster bridge construction, however, falls on heavy contractors, who must work tougher schedules and longer workdays while they solve site organization, demolition, and foundation and superstructure erection puzzles not taught in college. The contractors collaborate […]September 25, 2015RoadbuildingReclaimed and recycled asphalt : Where is the payoff?End users of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in asphalt mixes – both contractors and government agencies – are benefiting from the lower raw material prices that the bituminous and mineral reclaimed products bring to the table. Those components – which are 100 percent recyclable – replace virgin materials used in […]September 21, 2015RoadbuildingWhat’s behind foamed asphalt’s steep growth trajectory?Just like the swelling froth of expanded liquid asphalt in a foamed asphalt application, use of foamed asphalt in warm mixes is growing exponentially, and its use for full-depth recycling and base stabilization of roads is increasing as well. Warm mix asphalt (WMA) production in the United States has exploded in recent years, from 19.2 […]August 18, 2015RoadbuildingLight-emitting concrete, RCC for highway use and more research that may fuel tomorrow’s road projectsResearch influences how state and local transportation officials approach future road projects. A primary venue for transportation officials to get current research findings is the Transportation Research Board meeting, held each January in Washington, D.C. Topics discussed here may be reflected in tomorrow’s bid documents. Four of these papers – involving full-depth reclamation (FDR) for […]July 16, 2015Page 1 of 2Next PageTop StoriesUtility Tractors/LoadersDeere Upgrades 6R and 6M Tractors for Higher Productivity in Smaller SizeThe MY27 tractors get improved comfort, precision technology, new transmissions and enhanced loader performance.Pickups2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 Completely Redesigned — Plus, New V8sExcavatorsTakeuchi Upgrades its Largest Excavators: Meet the New TB3150 and TB3150RCompact Track LoadersConstruction’s Most Popular Machine: Compact Track Loader Buyer’s Guide 2026Off-Road TrucksHyundai Rolls Out Next-Gen HA30, HA45 Articulated Dump Trucks With New Cab, Tech
