Connected Construction

Bentley Systems is calling for submissions for its annual software awards event. The construction software specialist is asking for entries to the 2016 Be Inspired Awards programme, with a deadline for entries is May 30th, 2016. The awards are selected by independent juries of industry experts and recognise the work of organisations that develop key infrastructure advances.

Caterpillar may be on its financial back foot, but a recent event showed the company has a vision far beyond this or the next financial year – David Arminas reports. Many construction machinery manufacturers have some data collection and analysis systems for their heavy equipment. For a good decade, manufacturers have been moving in this direction, first as retrofit packages on machines in the field and increasingly as standard on newer models. Caterpillar is no exception among manufacturers that are movin

Topcon Positioning Group has launched a 3D dozer machine control system, the 3D-MCMAX, for Caterpillar machines. The system is designed to let operators work confidently in rough or fine grade applications, slope conditions, and in restricted sight environments without the visual obstruction of masts or risks to hanging cables. Gone is the need for daily installation and removal of antenna, cables and mast; the operator just climbs on and gets to work. Downtime is minimised, said Jamie Williamson, exe

Vietnam is working on plans for a major expansion of its expressway network. The plans call for a new network of expressways to be constructed by 2020. The programme of works calls for the construction of 21 new expressways, with a total distance of 6,411km. The new routes will connect major cities including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Ha Noi as well linking with Vietnam’s major seaports. The new routes also will also improve connections from Vietnam’s major cities to its key border crossings, main economic

NAUE is offering its 2016 update to its SecuSlope design software for mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) applications. The SecuSlope 3.0 package is said to be a user-friendly, interactive, design-orientated program for designing geogrid-reinforced slopes, walls, and abutments. Based upon a user’s project-specific inputs, the English language software produces optimal geosynthetic reinforcement layouts based on geogrid type, length and spacing. Factors used by the software include reinforcement strengths, r

Topcon Positioning says that its DS-200i direct-aiming motorised imaging station is compatible with the new Autodesk BIM 360 Layout app for the Apple iPad. The DS-200i is the second total station solution that Autodesk and Topcon have collaborated on for contractors. Topcon says that the BIM 360 Layout app’s connectivity with the DS-200i offers a reflectorless solution along with imaging and increased vertical range over previous systems. The DS-200i has an electronic distance measurement (EDM) range of

A series of key highway projects are underway in Morocco, with others now being planned. The Moroccan Government is calling for a study for the construction of seven stretches of highway. The winner of the tender for a consultancy will be announced on 22nd March 2016. The seven projects will be public-private partnerships, and include a road connecting Nador with the Fez-Oudja highway, a connection to the Nador West Med port, a stretch connecting Tangier and Tétouan, and a stretch connecting the Fez-Meknès

A new freeway project is planned in Phoenix, Arizona. The joint venture for this design-build and maintain project will be led by Fluor Corporation. The package of works was awarded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and is for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. This freeway project will be the first procured under Arizona’s public-private-partnership statute.

Kassel-based company Aibotix has presented a solution for high-precision surveying with Version 2 of its tried and tested surveying hexacopter AibotX6: High Precision GNSS. Aibotix, based in Kassel, in the middle of Germany, develops and manufactures multi-copters for applications in the industrial sector. The company's name is a combination of Ai for artificial intelligence and botix for robotics.