Related Links: LightSquared's Press Release LightSquared Faces Critics, Floats GPS Plan Changes GPS Industry Groups Reject LightSquared's Network Fix The ongoing fight over the future of LightSquared's plans to build a broadband satellite network using GPS spectrum entered a new phase this week.The Reston, Va.-based LightSquared filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 20, seeking a declaratory ruling on whether it can make use of the spectrum it has been licensed for its proposed 4G LTE broadband network.The network plans would occupy frequencies adjacent to those used by most of the GPS receivers currently in use. GPS
A simple request from the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the construction of its 102,000-sq-ft, $27.5-million La Bahn Arena presented an engineering challenge for the contractor."They wanted as much open space as they could get in the men's and women's hockey locker rooms," says Dave Beck-Engel, executive vice president, J.H. Findorff & Son, the project's principal contractor. "But with a traditional concrete slab, it got pretty thick, [and the] low ceilings got in the way."After considering its options, the project team chose to use BubbleDeck, a nontraditional concrete slab system which uses evenly spaced plastic bubbles to reduce the amount of
Related Links: Blog: The Tappan Zee Bridge and Wind Energy Center? The environmental impact statement for a new Hudson River crossing north of New York City is still in draft, but it will not include an expected mass transit component. With work on replacement spans for the Tappan Zee Bridge expected to begin as early as next fall, state officials say that they had to limit the current project's scope.A plan to replace the deteriorating bridge has been debated for years. Carrying the New York State Thruway over the Hudson River north of New York City, the 56-year-old cantilever bridge
We look at the latest in construction products, including a highly sensitive air-pressure sensor, an articulated dump truck and a pile driver designed for installing solar farms. Click on the image to begin the slide show.
ENR's weekly look at construction products and gadgets includes Turf-Friendly Replacement Track for Bobcat's compact track loaders, news about the RIDGID Manual Hydraulic Bender, CAS45R and CAS60R rotary-screw air compressors from Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Mapelastic CI and Topcon's latest GPS receivers. (Click on slideshow to launch.)
The PC70THD 1/2-in. corded two-speed hammer drill weighs only 5.1 lb and is 14.25 in. long, allowing the lightweighttool to be used in tight spaces. Its 7-amp motor has variable speeds of up to 1,100 rpm and 3,100 rpm. The hammer drill can be used in drilling concrete, tile, brick and mortar block. A molded handle is intended to reduce user fatigue, while metal gear housing aids in dissipating heat and extending the life of the hammer drill. Porter Cable; 888-848-5175; www.portercable.com Milwaukee's new test-and-measurement lineup is expanding since the segment was introduced a few years ago. The latest addition
Courtesy Volvo CE "We want to have the flexibility to scale according to customer demand," Olney says. Pat Olney, chief executive and president of Volvo Construction Equipment, is currently overseeing a $100-million investment in the heavy-equipment maker's North American operations. This push includes a $30-million expansion of the Sweden-based conglomerate's Shippensburg, Pa., facility, which will serve as the North American business and manufacturing hub. Olney, a Canadian by birth, is based at Volvo CE's offices in Brussels. His Sept. 22 interview with ENR at Volvo CE's Shippensburg facility has been condensed and edited.ENR: What is the time line for the
The Polypro Optimax seal-coating machine is available in both 550- and 825-gallon capacities. The tank's polyethylene composition prevents the sealant from adhering to the inside of the tank. The tank's helix-blade agitation prevents stalling under heavy sand loads. The machine is powered by a Honda engine and compressor and features a large hose reel on a swivel mount. The seal-coating machine is available with skid, trailer or truck mounting. Equipt Direct Inc.; 888-337-8748; www.equiptdirect.comThe Mini-Pod is an equipment management system that allows owners and foremen to remotely monitor the use of heavy equipment. The Mini-Pod can log locations, machine hours,
Photo Courtesy of Portadam LAST LINE OF DEFENSE Flood control products such as Portadam were deployed on short notice at the Fitzgerald Casino in Tunica, Miss., to provide protection from the rising waters of the Mississippi River. As cities and municipalities in the Midwest deal with seasonal floods, a new crop of flood barrier products have emerged in recent years.When Mark Bittner, city engineer for Fargo, N.D., planned for this year's floods, he had a budget in hand. While many towns and cities must wait for federal and state aid, Fargo has a dedicated half-cent sales tax for flood control.When
Related Links: Caterpillar CEO: We Want To Stay in Peoria CAT Moves Forward in Purchase Of Bucyrus for $8.6 Billion Caterpillar Buys Mining Giant Bucyrus For $8.6 Billion Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., has announced a $5-billion investment in a new global mining initiative, less than two months since the equipment maker finalized on July 8 its acquisition of Bucyrus International, South Milwaukee, Wis., in a deal valued at $8.8 billion.Historically known for its construction equipment, Bucyrus in recent decades did most of its business in the mining sector, building draglines, excavators, giant trucks and continuous miners. Caterpillar already offers a
