New Research Develops Self-Sensing Metamaterial Concrete for Smart Infrastructure Systems. By Mark S. Kuhar Concrete is the most used material in the construction industry and dates to the Roman Empire. Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh are now reimagining its design for the 21st century. New research introduces metamaterial concrete for the development of smart civil infrastructure systems. The paper,…
Read MoreDay: June 12, 2023
MSHA’S Jurisdiction Over Borrow Pits
Does MSHA Really Have Jurisdiction Here? It Depends. By Brian Hendrix Once or twice a year, I receive a call from a company asking me some variation of this question: Does MSHA really have jurisdiction here? The “here” part of the question differs from call-to-call. It may be a maintenance shop located miles away from any mine, a facility that…
Read MoreCulture is Communication
The Business Environment Can Be Analyzed And Managed If It Is Seen As A Network Of Communication Processes. By Thomas J. Roach Businesses are social institutions. Anyone who thinks a company is a clockwork mechanism driven by employees carrying out orders from managers is delusional. No matter where someone appears on the organization chart, their performance is governed mainly by…
Read MoreCalPortland Invests in Energy Efficiency
The Company Earned The 2023 Energy Star Partner Of The Year – Sustained Excellence Award From The U.S. EPA. By Therese Dunphy For a whopping 19th year in a row, Jurupa Valley, Calif.-based CalPortland was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year. It is the only industrial company to garner…
Read MoreNews from Michigan
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed Senate Bill 97 and House Bill 4054 into law. The bills will lower costs for Michiganders by amending the Use Tax Act to exempt from taxation the sale of property, used for production, manufacturing, or recycling of aggregate by the property if the aggregate would be used as an ingredient or component part for…
Read MoreTotal Construction Starts Slip in April; Highways Rise Higher
Total construction starts fell 4% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.04 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts led the drop as manufacturing fell 22% following strong performance in March. To balance the decline, nonbuilding starts rose 7%, and residential building starts gained 12%. On a year-to-date basis through April, total construction starts were 7%…
Read MoreA Five-Point Guide to a Successful Wear Strategy
by Eric Jones Crushers are designed to ingest and break some of the most abrasive materials on earth – to the detriment of their internal wear parts. They are engineered to operate on the frontline and perform within some of the harshest environments. When it comes to the success and reliability of a process, your company’s servicing and spares strategy…
Read MoreMaterially Introduces Map-Based Dispatching Application
Materially has launched a dispatching solution to simplify the process of dispatching aggregates. Materially’s dispatching tool provides a map-based interface that enables dispatchers to easily visualize their operations and make better, more-informed truck routing decisions. The dispatching tool, which is Materially’s latest release, is designed to complement their existing platform, which includes digital order management, e-ticketing, digital proof of delivery,…
Read MoreBulkSource Offers Flow Supply Chain Management Software
Flow, from BulkSource, is a supply chain management software for the infrastructure materials industry. With an intuitive user experience, comprehensive features, and flexible technology, Flow is an incredibly powerful solution for the entire supply operation, the company stated. Producers conduct frictionless commerce by integrating customers and logistics partners, while simplifying internal quote-to-cash processes. Flow Features: Site & Inventory ManagementProducers manage…
Read MoreSiemens Severe-Duty AC Motors Now With 75-800 hp Output
Siemens announced the immediate availability of the SIMOTICS SD200 severe-duty motor in frame size 440 as its latest offering in the low-voltage SIMOTICS motor family. Providing high productivity and energy-efficient operation in all torque ranges, these new cast-iron NEMA motors are built to power pumps, fans, compressors, hoists, winders and similar equipment in harsh environments. With a three-year warranty, the…
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