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Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd’s Zhong Zhensheng in a quarry in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, China.
All eyes n
China How a leading cement producer prepares for slower growth
setting standards * quake rebuild * future paving
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Contents issue 01/2012 sweden a man of standards Meet Klas Hermelin, who is working on standards for compaction (page 4).
015° 38’ E
China is very attractive to industry of all kinds.
My (new) home
Enjoy your reading,
Nico Delvaux Business Area President Atlas Copco Construction Technique
USA after the quake A section of a highway in Seattle, Washington, damaged by an earthquake, is removed (page 12).
122° 19’ W
One of the largest consumer markets in the world, China is very attractive to industry of all kinds. But it isn’t easily comprehended by outsiders; that’s one of the reasons why I recently relocated to our Shanghai Construction Technique offices. My presence here demonstrates my strong commitment to this market and its special considerations, as well as gives concrete support to our colleagues in the construction business. Speaking of concrete support – and a more nuanced view of the Chinese market – check out our articles on the changing rate of Chinese growth (page 6) and Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd (page 8). Excess capacity in the cement industry is making profitability a challenge, and our products can help. At the same time, we see positive signals in the national market that represent some nice opportunities. Bauma China 2012 is a good platform for us to show the Asian market how the Atlas Copco Group is focusing on the construction market through its Construction Technique business area. We are launching several new products at the trade fair from the business area’s different divisions. (Check out the back page of this magazine). These were designed and developed specifically for the Chinese and Asian market, increasing our product offering and allowing us to be more competitive in market segments that haven’t been reflected in our product range before.
Welcome to Atlas Copco Construction Technique’s exhibition stand in Hall W5 at Bauma China 2012 (27–30 November). Read about featured products on the back cover.
020° 15’ E
sweden paving the roads of tomorrow An industrial designer proposes a concept for road repair in the future (page 4).
115° 05’ E
ChinA confronting excess capacity Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd changes its focus in response to intense competition (page 8).
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PUBLISHER Mercedes Hernandez EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anna-Karin Stenlund
EDITORS Linas Alsenas and Lena Nilsson
anna.stenlund@se.atlascopco.com EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Mercedes Hernandez, Anja Kaulbach, Anna-Karin Stenlund and Elsie Vestraets PRODUCTION Appelberg Publishing Group, Sweden
ADDRESS Atlas Copco Construction Technique AB,
ART DIRECTOR Ersan Cürüklü Ingberthoeveweg 7, B-2630 Aartselaar, Belgium WEB www.atlascopco.com
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We will gather experience from all over Europe, document it and make it available.
Klas Hermelin Age: 55 Hometown: Falun, Sweden Hobbies: Music Last book read: Kennedy’s Brain by Henning Mankell Favorite road: E4 along Lake Vättern (Sweden) Favorite thing about work: “There are always new issues.” What motives me: Curiosity
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A man of
standards Klas Hermelin, Senior Technical Specialist at the Swedish Transport Administration, focuses on quality assurance. Text anders nordner Photo ol a hedin
Klas Hermelin, Senior Technical Specialist at the Swedish Transport Administration, focuses on quality assurance. An expert on unbound material, Hermelin is a member of several European standardization committees. His specialty, he says, was largely an accident of circumstance. “When I started working at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, not much research had been done in the area of compaction,” Hermelin says. “I was interested in research and development questions, and by chance I started working with this area.” After 15 years at the research institute, Hermelin started working for the Swedish Transport Administration. That was 12 years ago; now he is Senior Technical Specialist with responsibility for specifications on unbound material for pavements and embankments. “Being a member of these committees, I work a lot with standardization,” Hermelin explains. “I work with material for unbound layers in one committee and with aggregates in another. During the last three years, however, I have worked a lot with the Earthworks committee which includes compaction.” One of Hermelin’s focus areas is quality assurance in compaction, an issue of great concern over the last 25 years. After all, the better the quality of compaction, the longer the lifetime of the road. Compaction is a cheap way of improving a given material, and the compaction process only makes up 2–8% of the total cost for the unbound layers in a road. Quality assurance often costs more than the compaction itself, but it is important to know the result of the compaction and the properties of the construction to be able to verify that the expected quality has been achieved. “If you don’t invest in compaction you will get
higher costs in the future for road maintenance,” says Hermelin. “If the compaction isn’t performed properly, the road’s lifetime may be 20–40% shorter. Consequently it’s better to invest in compaction rather than in control.” Many methods for quality assurance haven’t been updated for almost 50 years. In Sweden the roller is used as a measurement instrument in a method called Continuous Compaction Control, CCC. This method is also standardized in Austria and Germany. “I think there is a big opportunity to develop additional measurement methods for non-destructive compaction control,” Hermelin says. This is where Hermelin expects to see future developments in quality assurance. “With non-destructive control methods we can measure both density and stiffness,” he says. “CCC is one method, but I think that with new technology we will see new types of methods.” Hermelin says that the European standardization committees on which he sits will result in few surprises. “We will gather experience from all over Europe, document it and make it available,” he says. “There will probably be no new measurements or no new methods. Instead it will describe good practices from all over Europe.” The resulting work of these committees is of particular interest for contractors working internationally: The documents could change standards or specifications in Europe, making compaction control methods more unified throughout Europe. “Construction companies working in more than one country will have equipment that can be put into operation in more countries,” says Hermelin. “That is good news, I think.”
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The introspective
giant
China puts new emphasis on internal markets and domestic demand. TEXT mike miller photo getty images
If there’s one country that stands out in any discussion of the world economy in the past few years, it’s China. The country’s seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of an economy looms large in the calculations of companies around the world, from exporters of raw materials and heavy equipment to importers of consumer products to multinationals setting up manufacturing operations in the country. Western countries experiencing sluggish growth have marveled at China’s years of double-digit expansion, but one question has been impossible to ignore: what happens if it starts to slow? It’s happening now. The Chinese
15 Construction accounts for 15% of China’s gross domestic product
government has set a growth rate target of 7.5% for 2012, down from 9.2% growth seen in 2011 and 10.4% in 2010. “Much of the growth in China has been driven by the construction and mining segments, but leading indicators in China clearly show that demand has cooled,” says Jim O’Brien, Regional Marketing Manager China, East Asia and Australia at Atlas Copco’s Portable Energy Division. “As a result, we’ve seen a slowing of growth in the construction and mining segments.” Chinese demand is vital to the fortunes of countries that export the raw materials that feed its factories. In fact, the country’s need for coal and iron ore practically
kept Australia out of recession during the global financial crisis. So when Australia’s Minister of Resources declared in August that his country’s resource boom was over, his remarks set off so many alarm bells that he quickly clarified his statement to say he was talking about commodity prices, not mining investment. China has experienced an ex-
traordinary building boom in recent years, and construction accounts for 15% of its gross domestic product according to some estimates. Property prices have shot up so far, however, that the central government has taken some tentative steps to stem the rise of housing costs in major cities, as few people are now
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able to buy homes. But the government is fearful about going too far. “The whole economy is geared towards construction and property and investment,” says Gillem Tulloch, Managing Director of independent research company Forensic Asia in Hong Kong. “That’s why the government will be hesitant in rolling out these property restrictions at a time when you’re seeing substantial deterioration from the wider economy.” ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR,
China’s latest five-year plan calls for a “new era of growth” aimed at creating a more balanced economy in terms of internal and external demand, says O’Brien. “The plan places far greater emphasis
on internal markets and domestic demand than ever before, and includes industrial structures that emphasize added value.” Atlas Copco’s Portable Energy division has been investing in China to build products specifically based on the changing demands of the Chinese market. Says O’Brien: “We see a strong movement towards more energy efficiency, increased focus on ‘green technology’ and strong demand for local good-quality products offering low cost of ownership. “Portable Energy is now in the process of developing a new, more efficient electrical-driven line of compressors in China that will offer benefits for the customer in terms of lower operating lifetime
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investment as well as lower emissions than the traditional dieseldriven machines.” The Chinese construction industry is still feeling the effects of a massive stimulus that the government injected into the economy in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. “The government went out and embarked on the largest stimulus the world has ever seen,” Tulloch says. “It’s more than SEK 46 trillion (USD 7 trillion) spread over three years.” Regardless of the length of the slowdown in China, Atlas Copco is taking the long view. “We remain committed to and focused on providing China and the region in Asia with the most innovative products that are designed and developed to provide optimum sustainable productivity,” O’Brien says.
CHINA’s GROWTH RATES 2010: 10.4% 2011: 9.2% Target for 2012: 7.5%
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Confron excess capacity Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd, China’s leading domestic cement producer, prepares for intense competition and slowing national economic growth. Text Jill Zhang Photos wang jing
uaxin Cement Co. Ltd, founded in 1907 as one of the first Chinese cement enterprises, leads the domestic cement market. But Chen Zhi, manager of the Process Department and Technical Director, sees dark clouds hanging over the business. “China’s cement industry has had a problem of excess capacity since 2010,” says Chen, who has worked at Huaxin for more than 20 years. “There is little market share or room to make a profit. For example, Huaxin, along with other large cement companies, has made far less profit in 2012 due to intensified competition, although we are implementing good cost control measures. Poor management has caused many medium-sized
and small cement companies to run at a loss.” The cement industry is heavily dependent on the speed of economic development. “Even when the national economy picks up, it will still be quite difficult for the cement industry to generate profit as a result of excess capacity,” Chen says. That’s why Huaxin has turned its focus toward two other business areas. “On the one hand, we have started to extend the industrial chain and engage in the concrete business,” says Chen. “On the other hand, drawing lessons from Europe and America, we have entered the field of environmental protection, with a focus on urban waste and sludge treatment.” Huaxin expects to invest about SEK 10.6 billion (RMB 10 billion) in the environmental protection business in the next 5–10 years. For Chen, the transition is a natural one. He says the
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Huaxin employees at work in a quarry in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, China.
113° 08’ E
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Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd, Huangshi, Hubei, China
attaches great importance to environmental protection and sustainable development. “In terms of mining, we usually adopt standardized methods, such as benching, and prioritize land reclamation and re-greening by planting trees and grass,” he says. “As a large company with social responsibilities, we must take mining plans, resource utilization and water and soil conservation into consideration. I believe only large corporations with strong financial and technological strengths can deal with the environmental protection business.” In 2001, Chen had to solve an air supply shortage when he was responsible for the renovation project of a cement grinding station in Huangshi, Hubei. Although screw compressors were relatively new to China’s cement industry at that time, technicians at Huaxin saw
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that Atlas Copco’s 10-cubic-meter miniature compressor units (GA55-7) produced less noise and consumed energy more efficiently. Placing a high value on the stability and quality of its air supply, Huaxin purchased the Atlas Copco screw compressors. During 2003-2005, many Chinese-made screw compressors became available, and Huaxin also bought some of them. However, Huaxin sets a high requirement on the reliability of compressors, in particular the lubrication of bearings and the reliability of the control system. “We found that Atlas Copco’s compressors were most trustworthy in terms of technology, quality and service,” says Chen. “Working at the center of a cement plant, compressors have a huge impact on the reliable operation of the plant.”
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Atlas Copco Construction Technique in China The perfect fit The Road Construction
Equipment Division is a leader in asphalt and soil applications. The division produces a wide range of robust pavers, asphalt and soil rollers, and milling equipment. China is one of the world’s largest markets for road construction equipment, fueled in recent years by massive investments in infrastructure by the Chinese government. With local and international brands in the mix to provide equipment, the competition in this segment is fierce, says Ihab El Dessouky, the division’s Vice President Marketing – East, Atlas Copco Road Construction Equipment Division. “We are investing in our production unit in China and developing new and exciting products that fit the market’s needs,” says El Dessouky. “Chinese customers tend to go for big machines with maximum output. It’s quite common at many construction sites to have pavers working on nine-meter widths, together with tandem rollers that are more than 12 metric tons and soil rollers heavier than 20 metric tons.”
Matching market needs The Construction
Huaxin employee Li Yuan operates an Atlas Copco comprssor.
Tools Division in China offers both the Atlas Copco brand and the Shenyang brand for hydraulic breakers and hand-held pneumatics. A number of infrastructure projects are underway in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau and, in many cases, large excavators are required. Thierry Leder, General Manager, Construction Technique, says there have been more 30-metric-ton breakers sold this year than in previous years. “Greater China is the largest hydraulic breakers market in the world,” he says. “It is also a very competitive market.” That’s why having the right product offering is crucial; Atlas Copco offers dedicated products that match the needs of the Chinese market. A new range of hydraulic breakers, the C-Series, was recently launched to complement the company’s premium range breakers and broaden the customer offering to suit all needs (see back cover). “In the near future, Atlas Copco’s Construction Tools Division will become a key partner for Chinese users in the construction market,” says Leder.
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About Huaxin Cement
Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd is one of China’s first cement companies, founded in 1907. Its cement has been used in many key national projects, including the Three Gorges Dam and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. Huaxin also engages in the fields of premixed concrete, cement equipment, cement packaging and waste treatment. In the 1990s, Huaxin was among the first cement companies to introduce advanced technology from abroad. Undergoing shareholding reform in 1993, Huaxin Cement was the first company in China’s building materials industry to be listed in both the Ashare and B-share markets. Holcim Group, one of the largest cement manufacturers in the world, has formed a strategic partnership with Huaxin and holds a 39% share of the Chinese company. The first decade of the 21st century saw Huaxin’s rapid expansion from the Hubei market (where its headquarters are located, in Wuhan) across China. The company’s annual production capacity has increased from 1 million metric tons in the early 1990s to about 60 million today. Since 2011, Huaxin has expanded its business overseas with an ongoing project in Tajikistan and a Cambodian project in negotiation. At present, Huaxin has more than 40 branches or subsidiaries across China and more than 11 000 employees. With total assets worth more than SEK 19 billion (RMB 18 billion), the company is ranked at the top of the domestic cement industry.
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Atlas Copco Construction Technique in China
“ In the coming 5–10 years, Huaxin expects to invest about RMB 10 billion in the green business.” Chen Zhi, Technical Director, Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd
Since then, Huaxin has purchased many more machines from Atlas Copco to meet the needs of its business expansion. More than 80% of the machines used by Huaxin – including drilling rigs and stationary and portable compressors – are from Atlas Copco. For drilling applications, Huaxin mainly uses XAMS850 and XAVS900 compressors. “They always take first place in the annual assessment of our suppliers,” Chen says. After working on several projects, Huaxin has built up a relationship with Atlas Copco, which also provides technical support and training regarding daily maintenance of the machinery. “Few domestic manufacturers offer a pre-sales service, which Atlas Copco does well,” says Chen. “When we talk about compressors, the maintenance staff at our plants prefer using those manufactured by Atlas Copco. I think this is an important recognition.” In the near future, Huaxin will broaden its focus away from the cement business. “The concrete business includes the aggregates sector which is closely related to portable compressors used in almost all the mines in Huaxin,” says Chen. “Also, a few miniature compressor units may be used in our green business.”
The big payback Based in Tianjin, China, the Services Division focuses on the total life-cycle cost of equipment – an approach that comes with a commitment to the buyer. With the purchase of a product, the customer can get lifetime service from Atlas Copco. “By selecting original parts and services you will get the biggest payback,” says Hui Jiang, Parts and Services Manager. Jiang points to the importance of uptime and efficiency. “Some customers are initially hesitant about the cost of spare parts, until they realize that our products, which are of a higher quality, have fewer breakdowns compared with local consumables. In addition, customers don’t have to pay extra for services, as those are included in the contract.” Getting service from the original customer center is the most economical approach for customers in the long run, says Jiang. “Many customers switch to Atlas Copco when they realize that they will have fewer breakdowns with our regular service and maintenance solutions. Within three to five years, they will also see a reduction in annual spare parts costs of about 15%.” A greener plant The Industrial Air and
Portable Energy Division will have a new production plant up and running in November 2012. Located in Wuxi, China, it will produce portable diesel and electric-driven compressors and generators, and small- to medium-sized industrial air compressors and GAR break compressors. The plant is designed to produce up to 34 000 compressors a year. The new plant is certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for sustainable site development, energy and water efficiency, use of natural materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation in design. The plant features an energy recovery system. “We will be reusing the energy from the production testing equipment to heat the plant in winter and then reverse the system to cool the plant in summer,” says Eric Langmans, General Manager, Atlas Copco (Wuxi) Compressor Co., Ltd. The office and workshop will use environmentally friendly T5 lamps, and rainwater recuperation will take place for general cleaning and landscaping. “Lean manufacturing, automated flow lines and the use of ergonomic assembly equipment, such as manipulators and lifting devices, will make this plant a modern, state-ofthe-art production location within the Group,” says Langmans.
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“Why not just make the traffic drive over the work site?” Gosha Galitsky, Industrial Engineer
Paving the roads of tom In the future, how will the gridlocked streets of megacities be repaired? Industrial designer Gosha Galitsky has a solution. Text David Wiles ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF Gosha Galitsky
Cities with populations of
more than 10 million people – megacities – deal with heavy traffic issues daily. But when there is road construction, entire arteries can come to a complete standstill causing longer trip times and severe air pollution from idling cars. Solving these problems will become even more important as increasing numbers of people move to urban centers. Industrial designer Gosha Galitsky, in close collaboration with Dynapac and with input from NCC Roads, has come
up with an attractive and innovative solution to these looming challenges – the Red Carpet. It’s an electric-powered paver that can repair asphalt roads on the move without disrupting traffic: cars simply drive over the new repairs while Hot-in-Place recycling takes place underneath. “I wanted to see how we could repair megacity streets without causing a significant disruption to traffic,” says Galitsky, who did the project for his Master’s degree in Advanced Product Design at the
University of Umeå in Sweden. “I started by doing in-depth research into how these processes are done today, what impact the processes have on the environment and how they can be done better.” One glaring problem with road repair in bustling cities is that the paving process requires vast amounts of resources and energy. “Repairing roads requires a lot of material,” says Galitsky. “The material needs to be heated and then transported hot to the work site, so there is a limit to how far the truck can travel. Also there are a multitude of machines involved in the process, and it involves a lot of energy, so this process is not compatible with a megacity. Road repairs can be very painful for the city and its residents.” The Red Carpet concept solves these issues, and while futuristic
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questions for Abhijit Som
Product Marketing Manager Large Paver at Dynapac
The machine travels at just a few kilometers per hour, so the pavement it leaves behind is ready for immediate use. The Red Carpet is quiet and easily refilled: a van with fresh binder simply drives up to it and deposits its load.
morrow and highly innovative, the idea behind it is also pretty straightforward. “This was actually one of the first solutions we came up with,” says Galitsky. “Why not just make the traffic drive over the worksite? It is a simple idea, but actually making that a reality, or even just a conceptual reality, took a lot of work.” The front of the machine contains a large microwave heater that heats the stones of the upper road layer. They, in turn, heat the asphalt binder that holds the road together, returning the pavement to its original soft state. Mechanical brushes then remove the asphalt, which goes into a large tank. The asphalt is mixed with a small amount of fresh binder and paved back onto the road using a ‘screed’ device used in modern pavers. Then rollers at the back of the machine compact the new pavement.
”So it could theoretically work 24/7. It is just a question of getting a continuous supply of binder and energy to the machine.”
Tests have shown that drivers would be able to negotiate the machine at speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour. “An indicator system with arrows displays your alignment, and all the approach and departure angles from the paver have been calculated,” Galitsky says. “So it’s no less safe than driving over a speed bump.” Another advantage of the Red Carpet is that it would not require a crew. “It was conceived to be autonomous or remotely operated,” says Galitsky. “So it could theoretically work 24/7. It is just a question of getting a continuous supply of binder and energy to the machine.” The Dynapac Red Carpet is currently at the concept stage, and there are still a number of technical challenges to address before it can become a reality. “I think that if such a machine could be produced, it would take a few years and it would probably look different than my concept,” says Galitsky. But he says he would be satisfied even if only a few core ideas from his concept eventually see the light of day. “Take the overall user experience and the typically negative reaction drivers have when they see a paver; if we could change that perception, while also reducing the amount of energy used and improving the environmental performance of these machines – and increasing the overall productivity – then I would be very happy.”
What advantages does Dynapac see in the Red Carpet concept? The Red Carpet is based on the real concerns of the industry and presents a vision to meet the paving demands in our future cities. We started the project by considering what is expected to change in the city transport landscape and also considered changing trends in the paving business in general. How would Dynapac’s customers get return-on-investment from such a machine? The main challenge our customers face while working in cities is high traffic density, which allows limited time for working with high costs for closures. Then getting the hot asphalt mix from mixing plants located around the city to the worksite is a big task. There is also a growing challenge regarding the availability of stone and the rising cost of bitumen, which is an oil-based product. All these issues have resulted in discussions on various techniques of re-using the material to reduce fresh demand for hot asphalt mix. What challenges must be overcome for the Red Carpet to begin repairing roads in the future? The major challenge of this concept would be handling the energy demand to operate a system that can help heat up the bitumen efficiently as well as provide the power needed to drive the milling and paving unit in this compact design. There is also a lot of discussion on alternative materials, which may change the energy demands on this concept in future.
NEWS 16
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RED, SET, GO Five-star hotel Egerner Hof in Rottach-
ROCKIN’ ROLLERS The CA2500, CA2800, CA3500, CA3600, CA4000 and CA4600 are the latest releases from the fifth generation of Dynapac CA single drum vibratory rollers. They are designed to take on the entire compaction mission, from planning the task, through the rolling phase, to analyzing the results. With optimized parameters, low noise and low fuel consumption, these rollers make compaction fast, simple and profitable. Active Bouncing Control prevents over-compaction and machine damage, while a cross-mounted engine makes servicing fast and simple.
Egern, Germany, knows luxury. So for a 50-meter-long, 3.5-meter-wide pathway just outside its doors, the hotel opted for a top layer of red asphalt to be put on the support and binder course, paved with the special colored asphalt mix AC 8 D. No black traces would be acceptable, so construction firm Holzner used a brand-new Dynapac SD2500C with new track pads for a flawless result.
BIG CRUSH
A new range of four rig-mounted hydraulic bucket crushers is perfect for efficient and economic recycling of all types of inert material – asphalt, stone, concrete – on site. The bucket crushers can be employed at all urban worksites, especially in confined conditions. The jaws follow a clever wear part concept: They can be inverted, the top and bottom jaws can be exchanged or single jaws can be rotated 180 degrees to also use the rear part. The four models can be used on any excavator larger than 12 metric tons, and they cover a range of service weight (1 500–4 900 kilograms).
SOLID IMPACT
LIGHT POWERS LIGHT
Sunlight charges the new portable QLTS light towers by day, and batteries power them at night. Noiseless, portable and sustainable, the towers feature highly efficient AGM batteries and LED lights, which get right to work without delay. With sufficient sunlight during the day, these towers can operate for days without requiring a charge. The QLTS series comes standard with both manual and automatic photocell-controlled on/ off switch, requiring no user input.
Atlas Copco’s new SB 702 is the only 700-kilogram hydraulic breaker with a solid body, making it easy to handle, fuelefficient and less noisy. The percussion mechanism and guide system are integrated into a single block of steel. The breaker can increase the blow frequency as the impact energy remains constant, which increases percussive performance. This, in turn, increases efficiency and lowers fuel consumption. Energy recovery also helps to absorb recoil, which means less wear and tear on the carrier and a higher level of comfort for the operator.
CONCRETE SOLUTION
Atlas Copco Construction Tools is launching a new range of three ride-on trowels for concrete floor specialists and rental companies. The BG740, BG910 and BG920 were created for quicker movement, resulting in a more accurate surface that saves both time and energy. Equipped with four blades per rotor, the BG 740 has a torque converter that allows it to move fast while sustaining the same torque, thus saving energy. The BG910 and the hydrostatic BG920 have larger rotor diameters and are equipped with five blades per rotor.
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e k qua e h t r e t f A
In February 2001 Seattle was shaken
More than 10 years after an earthquake damaged the Alaska Way Viaduct in Seattle, Washington, J. Harper Contractors removed the structure with some massive technology. Text Joe Bradfield Photos Atl as Copco
by one of the largest earthquakes in the state of Washington’s history. The 45second, 6.8-magnitude event damaged the Alaska Way Viaduct on State Route 99, 80 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter in Nisqually, Washington. The double-deck bridge was repaired soon after, but it continued to be monitored because of safety concerns. In early 2009 the state decided to replace the viaduct. Demolition of concrete structures is a specialty of J. Harper Contractors, which began removing part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in October 2011. The initial
assignment from general contractor Skanska USA was to demolish and remove 10 000 metric tons of concrete in a 400-meter span of the structure. This would make way for crews to begin building a diversion to relieve traffic during construction of the bridge’s underground replacement, a three-kiolmeterlong, four-lane tunnel. J. Harper Vice President Jeff Slotta
says he knew what he wanted for this job right away: an Atlas Copco Combi Cutter CC 6000 U. Slotta was familiar with the CC 6000’s use in Europe; it is the largest Combi Cutter available, with a
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J. Harper Contractors recovered more than 1 000 metric tons of 5.7-centimeterdiameter rebar.
“ It just squished them, munching down on those columns, slicing through rebar all day long.” Jeff Slotta, Vice President,
service weight of more than 6 metric tons. (J. Harper’s other Atlas Copco equipment includes three HB 3000 heavy duty breakers, a BP 2900 R bulk pulverizer and a smaller Combi Cutter, the CC 3300.) “Our company has worked on larger projects and probably could have accomplished this task with the equipment we already had,” Slotta says. “But the heavy structural concrete of the bridge would have taken much longer without a larger cutter.” The job was finished in just 30 working days. The Combi Cutter has an option that
features steel-shearing blades in the throat of two concrete cracker jaws. The jaws are driven by separate pistons and operate, using Slotta’s description, “like alligator jaws, with teeth in front to pulverize, crushing and swallowing concrete down its throat to get to the No. 18 rebar.” J. Harper recovered more than 1 000 metric tons of the 5.7-centimeter-diameter
rebar during the demolition phase. HB 3000 breakers were used to demolish both concrete decks of the viaduct. The CC 3300 and pulverizer worked on the lower deck and beams, while the CC 6000 tore down the upper deck, towers, bent supports and deep concrete beams. The steel-reinforced, 18-meter-high towers were 1.2 by 1.2 meters wide, and the concrete bents – the supporting system that elevated and supported the roadway – had concrete beams that were almost a meter thick. “The CC 6000 didn’t even hesitate,” says Slotta. “It just squished them, munching down on those columns, slicing through rebar all day long.” When Slotta first made his request, he didn’t realize that the CC 6000 would
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J. Harper Contractors (left) with Atlas Copco Regional Channel Manager Dana Creekmore
come all the way from Germany; this would be the first one used in the US. Fortunately, J. Harper had allowed three months of lead time before using the cutter in the project. The CC 6000 requires a larger carrier than the 300- and 400-series excavators that J. Harper usually uses in its demolition fleet, so Seattle-based Modern Machinery mounted the new cutter to a Komatsu 800-series excavator. Slotta notes that “Additional modi-
fications on the Komatsu were pretty much limited to installing extra hydraulics to run the Combi Cutter and adding extra guards to protect the operators.” J. Harper places a premium on safety, and
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Lake Union
The Alaskan Way Viaduct runs along downtown Seattle’s waterfront.
Elliot Bay
West Seattle
N
Alaskan Way S
Seattle Yesler Terrace
Beacon Hill
having the right equipment for the job helps the company live up to its brand promise: Providing customers with a “drama-free demolition experience.” “I’d rate this as one of the smoothest wrecking jobs we’ve ever done,” says Slotta. “We’ve had absolutely no issues with either the tool or the excavator.” The project also included transporting concrete rubble to the company’s portable crusher at a staging area about a mile offsite. While completing the first phase of demolition, J. Harper was awarded additional portions of what is anticipated to be at least a six-year project, including crushing 30 000 metric tons of concrete and demolition of other sections of the viaduct.
20 Launch
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a magazine from atlas copco construction technique – NO.1 / 2012
Bauma China 2012 international trade fair Atlas Copco presents several new solutions for the
Where: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Hall W5 When: 27–30 Novem ber
construction industry, including the following:
COMPACTION ACTION
The Dynapac CP275 pneumatic-tired roller can take on a range of applications including finishing, sealing and soil compaction. The roller is equipped with a two-seated platform and an exclusive dual-circuit braking system that maintains full braking effect when one circuit is disabled. It is available with a compaction width of 2 370 millimeters and 14 000–27 000 kilograms of operating weight.
BIT BY BIT
Dynapac enters the consumables business with the launch of nine different types of road milling tools (also known as ‘picks’ or ‘bits’). Competitively priced, they fit all types of milling machines, regardless of brand. The selection includes reliable, high-performing bits for all types of milling widths, for asphalt as well as concrete applications.
UNDER PRESSURE
The latest high-pressure compressor features four variants – XRVS (1050) 487, XRHS (1150) 527, XRYS 1150 (537) and XRVS 1210 (567) – produced in Wuxi, China. The model features a higher-efficiency screw element that reduces energy consumption and a Xc3003/4003 controller with a user-friendly interface and flow-pressure management functions.
GIMME A BREAKER
The all-new C-series hydraulic breakers for the Chinese market consist of five different models for carriers in the 4–45 metric tons class. With their stand-alone, triangular case design, the user-friendly breakers are complementary products to Atas Copco’s offering of premium hydraulic breakers.