Page 15 - Construction_Opportunities_March_2023

COVER STORY

Class pavers are perfectly at home whether on highways or in the country.
handling other demanding large-scale projects. The SUPER 1900- The Phosphor-Gypsum is a by-product of fertilizer production. A
5(i) manages pave widths between 2.55 m and 11.5 m, the SUPER Phosphor-Gypsum road was first constructed by an Indian fertilizer
2100-5(i) up to 14 m. Both Dash 5 pavers are convincing products company. Later the road was evaluated by CRRI (Central Road
featuring a flexible, modular system which takes particular account Research Institute) and based on their report, the Indian Road
of economy and sustainability as well as of ease of use and process Congress (IRC) has formally accredited neutralized Phosphor-
automation. Gypsum waste material for road construction for a period of three
Given the rise in raw material prices, economy is also becoming years.
more and more of a factor in the success of road construction, Use of plastic waste in road construction: In the past also, the
which is why with its Dash 5 pavers, VÖGELE has ensured reduced NHAI has encouraged the use of plastic waste in road construction.
setup times, improved logistics and increased machine availability. Several studies have shown that roads built using plastic waste are
In addition to the new Paver Access Control (PAC) function, the more durable and sustainable. The roads made up of waste plastic
intuitive and further optimised ErgoPlus 5 operating concept and also increase the life of the bitumen. The construction of a one km
the AutoSet Plus automatic function, optimised material handling, long four-lane highway requires around seven tonnes of plastic
too, improves profitability. The new material handling control waste.
prevents load peaks and facilitates an optimum head of mix in Use of fly ash in road construction: The NHAI authorities have
front of the screed throughout the entire paving process. Whilst the already used ‘Fly Ash’ in the road construction project and in building
benefits here are particularly obvious at relatively large pave widths, flyover embankments. It is a fine residue of coal combustion in
the Power Tunnel available as an option demonstrates its strengths Thermal Power Plants (TPPs). Around 1.2 crore cubic meters of fly
primarily in paving jobs involving the extending screed without bolt- ash have been used in the construction of a 125 km long six-lane
on extensions. The hydraulically extending limiting plates for the ‘Eastern Peripheral Expressway.
auger tunnel ensure an optimum level of material in front of the
screed, even with hydraulic extensions fully extended. Retraction Innovations abound…
and extension of the Power Tunnel can be controlled together with In yet another achievement towards self-reliance, the country
screed width adjustment. Permanent availability without the need developed the world’s first bamboo-made crash barrier and
for assembly, combined with the optimum flow of material, save installed it on the Vani-Warora Highway in Vidarbha, Maharashtra.
time and money and secure a high level of paving quality. Crash barriers are installed on either side of a highway with an aim
Caterpillar Inc. has expanded its paving products portfolio with the to prevent vehicles from falling out of the road network. It also
launch of new compact line of asphalt pavers and screeds. These keeps outside elements from entering into the highways. These
standard 2.44 m size-class paver and screed combinations weigh are typically made of steel due to the strength the metal gives to
®
in at 14 to 16 metric tonnes and include the Cat AP400, AP455 these key infrastructure. Replacing steel barriers with bamboo crash
Mobil-trac™, AP455 Steel Track, AP500, AP555 Mobil-trac, and barriers would be a very innovative move by the Centre to bring
AP555 Steel Track asphalt pavers as well as the SE47 VT and SE50 VT down fatalities in road accidents.
tamper bar screeds. They come equipped with features that excel Union minister Nitin Gadkari called the development a “remarkable
in both urban and rural applications and can fit the needs of both achievement” for India and its bamboo sector. “An extraordinary
large and small contractors. The compact size and small footprint accomplishment towards achieving #AatmanirbharBharat has
combine with exceptional maneuverability for more opportunity been made with the development of the world’s first 200-meter-
to pave in confined areas such as narrow streets, small parking long Bamboo Crash Barrier, which has been installed on the Vani-
lots, and other urban-type applications. Cat pavers are equipped Warora Highway,” he said.
with an exclusive eco-mode feature that combines with automatic Talking about the barrier, the minister also conveyed that the
speed control to reduce fuel consumption. In most conditions, the bamboo-type used to make this crash barrier is Bambusa Balcoa,
engine can operate at a lower rpm and still deliver the required which has been treated with creosote oil and coated with recycled
power to meet performance requirements. If needed, the engine High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE). The crash barrier will act as the
will automatically adjust to a higher engine speed if certain load perfect alternative for steel and is environment-friendly, the minister
conditions are met. added. The bamboo crash barrier, which has been named ‘Bahu
Bali’ is about 200-meter long. In a statement, the Ministry of Road
Towards Sustainable Development Horizons and Highways said that the crash barrier had undergone rigorous
With a view to reduce the carbon footprint, the Ministry of Road, testing at various government-run institutions, including National
Transport and Highways is exploring options to construct national Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Pithampur, Indore and was rated
highways using Phosphor-Gypsum. The move aims to enhance as Class 1 in the Fire Rating Test which was conducted at the Central
durability and make construction more economical. India has Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee. The bamboo crash
the second-largest road network in the world. In this context, barrier had also been accredited by the Indian Road Congress. The
the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along with the statement released by the ministry also revealed that the recycling
Department of Fertilizers will soon take up field trials on its projects value of the bamboo crash barrier is 50-70%, while that of steel
to achieve a circular economy in the use of Gypsum. The move is barriers is 30-50%.
in line with the government’s commitment to using waste material With such interesting developments in place, road construction is
in building ecologically sustainable National Highway Infrastructure set to be on a ROLL in the country!

MARCH 2023|CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES 15