What is best way to maintain a competitive advantage in construction industry?
How to maintain a competitive advantage in construction?
Sustainable development in construction not only brings changes in the environmental and technical fields, but also changes the role of engineers, introduces new models and approaches to building construction and thus changes the investment environment, which is becoming more complex and demanding.
Today, sustainable development is closely integrated into any construction company. This means reducing consumption, protecting the environment and ensuring safe working conditions. Honey, when construction companies turn the focus of a cleaner and greener future, the question arises: How to maintain a competitive advantage?
Road mats
One such solution is also the ISOTRACK road mats, which are manufactured by the Slovenian company Isokon. With ISOTRACK runways, access and work surfaces are easily made to construction sites, oil and gas sites, electrical networks, regardless of the type of terrain. They enable safe accesses for heavy construction machinery such as car cranes, excavators, rover diggers, kiper trucks, etc. The construction of auxiliary roads / work surfaces, weather conditions and the return of the terrain to its original condition cause huge costs. After completing the project, ISOTRACK panels are easily removed, cleaned and prepared for use in the next construction project. Their lifespan, when used correctly, is between 8-12 years.
Drive hobs have proven abroad as an indispensable element of how to turn unstable terrain into safe access or work platform. The boards are used by large construction companies such as MAX BOEGL ( Germany ), THYSENNKRUPP INFRASTRUCTURE ( Germany ), LARSEN TOUBRO ( India ), STRABAG ( Germany ), … Because construction companies are very inclined to rent construction equipment, ISOTRACK panels are often rental equipment of large construction machinery providers, such as UNITED RENTALS ( USA ), NISHIO RENTALS ( Japan ), MTANDT LIMITED RENTALS ( India )… The company offers three different types of panels that are adapted for use and loads.
ISOTRACK L
The dimensions of the plate are 1.2 m x 2.4 m. Her weight is only 36 kg. Installation and disassembly are done manually. The setting speed is very fast. A team of three people places up to 60 records per hour (approx. 1400 m ²). The plate is made of specially developed durable thermoplastic. It is used for lighter construction work, for temporary parking lots, protection of asphalt and concrete surfaces. The board has two different ISOTRACK structures that are patented. One page is intended for hiking applications and the other for vehicles. It can withstand loads of vehicles or equipment up to 80 tons.
ISOTRACK L panels are made of specially developed thermoplastic and are used for lighter construction work.
ISOTRACK H
This panel is most commonly used for heavier construction work. Its size is 3 m x 2.5 m. Due to its weight of 295 kg, forklifts or lifts must be used for manipulation. According to the experience of rental partners, the installation speed is on average 220 pieces of ISOTRACK H in 10 hours of records or 1500 m ² with a team of 3-4 workers. Coupling is easy via screw joints and is the most useful product for heavier loads in terms of technical characteristics and price. For the most part, it is used for loads up to 150 tons.
ISOTRACK H connecting panels are intended for heavier construction work. They hold a turn of up to 150 tons.
ISOTRACK X
The plate is measuring 4 m x 2 m and weighs 360 kg. It is one of the most rigid records in the program. Its curiosity is the overlay joint, the main feature of which is that local loads are transferred to adjacent panels, thus reducing local pressure on the ground. The satin structure of the plate provides exceptional compressive loads (415 tons / m ²) and reduces its own weight at one time. Coupling is very easy via special FOUR3 connectors hidden under the running surface. The interior is filled with expanded polyethylene foam, which prevents water from entering the inside of the board. This prevents the increase in the own weight of the plates. Mounting is performed in the same way as with ISOTRACK H. They are mostly used on very soft terrain and when carrying extreme loads (above 200 tons).
ISOTRACK X panels are used on very soft terrain and when carrying extreme loads (above 200 tons).
As part of the continuous improvement, ISOKON launched a new generation of the ISOTRACK X G2 panel this year. According to positive customer feedback on the excellent adhesion provided by the patented ISO-TRACTION surface already used in two other products (ISOTRACK H and ISOTRACK L series), the company has decided that it is time to transfer this tried and tested solution to ISOTRACK X panels. The ISO-TRACTION area has been tested at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesics, University of Ljubljana. The results showed a significant increase in the adhesion of rubber vehicles compared to the first generation and achieved 20-30% better results compared to competing panels.
Slovenian construction does not use such solutions for once. It would be good and advisable to follow the example of foreign already established practices that have proven to be effective, economical and environmentally friendly.