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ERICA Boards Installed

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesConserve of energy Energy efficient plant and equipment Monitoring and recording of resource usage

ERICA boards help the contractor prevent energy wastage using a power monitoring and control system. The system understands and knows where and when energy is being used and highlights opportunities to prevent energy wastage. ERICA = Energy, Reduction, Information, Control, Automation. They have done this by exchanging the generator for more efficient equipment such solar hybrid battery units as well…


Passive Eel Pass

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesEnvironmental champion Identification of flora, fauna and natural resources Protect the local environment

This contractor has implemented a  passive eel pass that will ensure a consistent flow rate without any manual or electrical operations. The operation will be monitored, with the aim of using the data collected for similar projects. The eel pass exit comprises a floating articulating swivel pipe which can adapt to seasonal variations in water level. The novel adaptability is…


Wheeled Container Lifter

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesControls Lessons learned

This contractor installed a wheeled container mover that makes lifting and transporting cargo containers simple, with just two people required to raise or lower the load with minimum effort. Once the wheels are attached to the lower corners of the shipping container, it can be towed by a suitable vehicle at speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour. The…


EV Pump and Agitator for CFA Piling

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Conserve of energy Energy efficient plant and equipment

This contractor implemented the world’s first fully electric drilling ancillary support and concrete supply setup to the piling rig. This groundbreaking system combined the use of all renewable mains electricity powered air compressor to assist boring, and mains electrically powered concrete agitator and pump, eliminating three diesel engines from the standard process and significantly reducing fuel consumption to provide concrete…


Ochre Stabilisation

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Conserve of resources

This contractor has utilised waste ochre from a former mining remediation authority mine to treat and remediate the heavy metal contaminated soils on this project. This new use of Ochre diverts waste from the mining remediation projects from going to landfill. It also has the benefit of remediating a former industrial heavily contaminated site to reduce the risk to controlled…


Emergency Brake Assist

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesControlled access Pedestrian safety

This contractor has invested in new plant – the new Bomag BW 174’s complete with Asphalt Manager and their latest safety feature, the Bomag Emergency Brake Assist system. The proactive system reliably identifies potentially hazardous situations at an early stage, even in poor visibility conditions. If an obstacle is detected in the roller’s path, it slows down automatically, halting if…


Autonomous Positioning System for Lifting Wind Turbine Blades

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesModern methods of construction

Autonomous Positioning System (APS) consists of a spanset beam which houses 2 hubs with pitch propellers, 2 15kw electric motors and a control unit. The APS is attached to the crane hook as normal using slings, chains or shackles of a suitable SWL attached to lifting points on the top of the spanset beam. The blade is then slung using…


Carbon Dioxide Absorbing Recycled Aggregate

Published 14 May 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Circular economy Green/renewable energy Lower embodied carbon content materials

On this project the contractor began sending concrete demolition waste to London Concrete in 2023 from the marine deck demolition and since the pile cropping’s. The concrete is processed and crushed into aggregate to be used as 20% replacement in new concrete mixes being bought back to site. Taking this one step further they are also using Neustark’s new cutting…


Wasteshark Canal Clean Up

Published 15 April 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Energy efficient plant and equipment Identify potential natural environment detriment Protection of existing natural habitat Windblown material

Working close to a waterway In Leeds, where there are regular high winds, it is inevitable that some of the construction waste will end up in the canal next to the site. With the local community and the environment in mind, the contractor decided to contact WasteShark Leeds to do a canal clean up next to the site. This aquatic…


Prop Load Monitoring System

Published 1 April 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Conserve of resources Green/renewable energy

The Prop Load Monitoring system is both self-powered and remote controlled, reducing the need for site visits through remote resets and battery status monitoring. The nodes have a long-life lithium ion battery and the data transmission gateway is self-charged via solar panels, so there is no requirement for electrics at site. Upgraded prop load monitoring systems in construction offer significant…


Rebar Tying Robot

Published 31 March 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesLessons learned Modern methods of construction

The traditional process for rebar tying is done manually using annealed steel wire, either from bulk rolls or precut pieces with loops. Common methods include the Snap Tie and Wrap and Snap Tie which involve using pliers to pull, wrap, twist and cut the wire to secure the rebars. Tying rebars by hand increases the risk of several health-related injuries…


Skyline Remotely Operated Tower Crane

Published 24 February 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesModern methods of construction Recreational facilities

This contractor has implemented a remotely operated tower crane. The benefit of the technology on compact, high-rise projects is improved all round visibility; the cameras eliminate blind spots and restricted views created by the building and the close proximity of the lifts to the crane’s mast. They also provide up to 40% zoom resolution, allowing the crane operator to see…


RapidGrip Adoption on Motorway Emergency Areas

Published 24 February 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesPlanning of traffic routes Preventing unauthorised access

On the motorway emergency areas they have introduced RapidGrip, a highly skid-resistant, and colour-stable surfacing material developed by the Smart Motorway Partnership (SMP) Alliance. Replacing the traditional two-coat system, RapidGrip achieves bright orange visibility in a single application, reducing construction time, safety risks, and public disruption. This lean solution enhances efficiency by minimising nightshifts and traffic management, while ensuring consistent…


Ultrawis

Published 6 January 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesControls Inspection and assurance Monitoring

Ultrawis is a new system that uses computer and camera technology to assist with operating the crane, along with providing driver assistance to aid with daily lifting activities. This system can provide the operators with a clearer, more advanced view of their work area along with letting users know exactly where their jib is positioned. This provides the ability to…


Temporary WiFi (110v)

Published 6 January 2025 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesConsultation on health and safety Modern methods of construction

Traditionally temporary WiFi is serviced using 240v, however this contractor has opted to make use of a temporary WiFi system which utilises 110v power. This new system allows for a safer, lower current of electricity to be used which greatly reduces the risk of electrical damage/injury if struck. Using this system is safer if you get shocked by it, due…


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