An array of Caterpillar machines has been used on this novel earthmoving project in Italy
GPS technology has been used to maximise performance for a novel use of compaction machines. Construction equipment from 178 Caterpillar has been used to help construct a reservoir that will be used to contain water used for snow-making for the Plan de Corones ski area at Alto Adige in Italy’s South Tyrol.
The ski area features 116km of slopes and 32 new lifts and a network of reservoirs and underground pipes has been installed for the production of artificial snow when required.
A key feature has been the construction of a reservoir to hold around 44,000m3 of water for Passo Furcia, which has been handled by contractor Marx. The firm specialises in road construction and infrastructure applications, with much of the work in the production of ready-mix concrete, aggregate processing and recycling of demolition materials.
Marx had experience with Caterpillar earthmoving machines and has used a Cat excavator with the AccuGrade digging control. As the company found the technology improved precision, boosting productivity and reducing costs, it opted to use the AccuGrade system for the compaction work in this contract also. Compaction is required on the base and the slopes of the reservoir, where monitoring by conventional methods poses challenges.
By renting a Caterpillar CS56 compactor fitted with an AccuGrade GPS package from Caterpillar dealer7132 CGT, Marx was able to test the technology and see if it was able to deliver the performance necessary. Field trials showed it is possible to monitor the material density, layer by layer.
This layer-by-layer monitoring is a significant advance for this application, as the material is only compacted where required, and passes are eliminated providing cost savings.
The AccuGrade GPS compaction system measures the stiffness, or the ability of the material to resist deformation under load, as well as its density and specific weight. The system also alerts operators to potential problems in the material, such as hard or soft spots, or moisture beneath the surface.
As the system has proven its worth, Marx has bought the CS56 and the AccuGrade package from CGT. Work on the project has also involved the use of a Cat 323D excavator and two 730 articulated dump trucks rented from CGT, as well as Cat 329D and 336D excavators owned by Marx.
The ski area features 116km of slopes and 32 new lifts and a network of reservoirs and underground pipes has been installed for the production of artificial snow when required.
A key feature has been the construction of a reservoir to hold around 44,000m3 of water for Passo Furcia, which has been handled by contractor Marx. The firm specialises in road construction and infrastructure applications, with much of the work in the production of ready-mix concrete, aggregate processing and recycling of demolition materials.
Marx had experience with Caterpillar earthmoving machines and has used a Cat excavator with the AccuGrade digging control. As the company found the technology improved precision, boosting productivity and reducing costs, it opted to use the AccuGrade system for the compaction work in this contract also. Compaction is required on the base and the slopes of the reservoir, where monitoring by conventional methods poses challenges.
By renting a Caterpillar CS56 compactor fitted with an AccuGrade GPS package from Caterpillar dealer
This layer-by-layer monitoring is a significant advance for this application, as the material is only compacted where required, and passes are eliminated providing cost savings.
The AccuGrade GPS compaction system measures the stiffness, or the ability of the material to resist deformation under load, as well as its density and specific weight. The system also alerts operators to potential problems in the material, such as hard or soft spots, or moisture beneath the surface.
As the system has proven its worth, Marx has bought the CS56 and the AccuGrade package from CGT. Work on the project has also involved the use of a Cat 323D excavator and two 730 articulated dump trucks rented from CGT, as well as Cat 329D and 336D excavators owned by Marx.
