Tips & Advice Posts

Concrete pours gone wrong can be costly. Concrete is difficult to install, and it’s even more difficult to remove if the job isn’t done right. Additionally, without proper preparation, crews that pour concrete are at risk. In fact, earlier this month, nine workers were injured in a concrete placement job on the seventh floor of a new hotel in Houston. This type of accident is more common that you might think in concrete placement jobs. Fortunately, doing the right prep work before a pour can help you avoid costly rework jobs and help you ensure the safety of your crews. Here are five of the most important things you can do before you start pouring concrete at a jobsite:

1. Conduct a pre-slab meeting to iron out plans.

This should be down a week or so in advance of a pour. Ideally, the crew foreman and the project superintendent should be present to discuss factors like required equipment, labor needs, rebar pulling/chairing, mix design, etc. Additionally, all matters related to contracts need to be reviewed and discussed. Seemingly minor things like whether or not a contract’s weather-related concrete placement and batching plans have been accepted shouldn’t be overlooked. Attention to detail is essential at this stage.

2. Inspect formwork thoroughly.

This is of the upmost importance and will help you avoid the costs associated with an inefficient pour and having to rework. Make sure forms are in the proper location and that they have proper grade and alignment. Additionally, you should check that they’ve been installed and braced according to prior plans. It’s also important to make sure formwork is clean of dirt, debris, and trash.

3. Check reinforcing steel.

Rebar needs to be sampled and approved before a pour begins. It needs to be clean and have no signs of rusting, cracking, breaking, or pitting. And it needs to be installed in the correct, pre-established location, using the correct size of rebar. There also needs to be the correct and accurate amount of clearance between rebar and formwork. Additionally, all reinforcing steel needs to meet the specified cover, and all reinforcing steel needs to be tied and secured.

4. Make sure you have the right materials and equipment.

You need the right trucks to dispatch to the jobsite. The necessary concrete materials need to be on-hand, inspected, and approved before pouring. This includes water, cement, aggregates, and additives. It’s a great idea to call your concrete supplier the day before a pour is scheduled to begin. Additionally, protective and curing materials need to be stocked and easily accessible. Depending on the project, this may include insulated blankets, wet mats, tarps, and external heaters.

5. Double-check the materials and jobsite to ensure readiness.

This pertains to what you should do right before a pour begins. Slump and air tests need to be conducted on trucks, and test cylinders need to be ready to go. Formwork needs to be hosed down and wet in preparation for the pour. And concrete must be vibrated properly before the pour begins. If you’ve been pouring concrete for a while, all of these last-minute steps may seem obvious, but it’s not unheard of for experienced crews to forget or overlook one of these key tasks.These five pre-pour steps can prevent most major issues associated with concrete work. It may also be a good idea to create and print a checklist to bring with you to the jobsite that will allow you to quickly go down a list and make sure you’re doing all the right prepping. You can also find generic, printable pre-pour checklists online that may be useful if your pour is a fairly straightforward job.

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Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace currently has a wide variety of used and surplus concrete equipment for sale, including used concrete formwork, used overhang brackets, used overhang stripping buggies, and more.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.** Photo credit to Long Beach Concrete (https://www.longbeachconcreteservice.com/)

Steel plates, also referred to as structural steel, are made up of multiple steel layers that are compressed together to form individual plates. Those individual plates can be welded and cut as necessary, and they offer the strength and durability needed in a variety of applications. Steel plates come in different sizes and grades and are both corrosion and abrasion resistant. Due to variations in their thickness, they are an attractive alternative to steel sheet. They are used widely, for home construction, heavy civil construction, mining, machinery engineering, shipbuilding, for military projects, and in the oil and gas pipelines. More, specifically, here are some of the major uses of steel plates:

1. Construction

Steel plates play a versatile role in the construction industry. They’re particularly common in the construction of bridges, building, and warehouses. They’re also used for building large commercial structures like airports and sports arenas. Steel plates are used to help make building foundations stronger and to provide foundational support to bridges. They’re also an essential component of most pre-fabricated homes, including the new, trendy “tiny houses.”In the heavy civil sector, steel plates are used for road plates, shoring plates, excavation, and more.

2. Military

Military buildings and vehicles are often fortified with the help of steel plates. They’re common in jeeps, tanks, trucks, helicopters, jets, and ships used for military purposes. They’re also used to test the strength of weapons and bullets. All branches of the military use steel plates in some fashion.

3. Ship construction

Easily welded and ultra-strong, steel plates are used in a significant number of ships and are probably one of the most commonly used materials in ship building. They’re also a key component of many oil rigs and in offshore construction. Their corrosion resistance makes them ideal for these applications.

4. Pressure vessels

Pressure vessels like gas tanks and boilers, which need to protect against leaks and extreme temperatures, are frequently made of steel plates. Oftentimes, these steel plates are specifically engineered to be able to hold gas or fluid contents at different temperatures to reduce the risk of explosion.

5. Shipping

Large shipping containers are commonly built using steel plates. Steel plates help preserve the life of these shipping containers due to their corrosion and rust resistance, and they are strong enough to protect all different types of cargo.

6. Oil and gas

In addition to being used for construction of rigs, many oil and gas pipelines use steel plates to maximize their strength and ensure they last longer without corroding. Steel plates can easily be welded to suit the needs of pipelines and can also be used for repair purposes when parts of pipelines need to be patched up.

7. Household appliances

You probably weren’t aware of this, but steel plates are even used to build your household refrigerators and dishwashers. In refrigerators, steel plates are beneficial because they help the appliance hold its temperature and are unlikely to rust even after years and years of use.

8. Automotive Industry

Steel plates are found in many cars on the road today. Due to their strength, they’re essential in keeping drivers and passengers safe in the event of accidents. They can also be relatively light in weight in comparison to other materials of their strength, which means they help improve the fuel economy of cars.

9. Road Work

In addition to being used in almost every other area of construction, steel plates are also used for road work projects. Skid-resistant, steel road plates can be a viable and temporary fix to place over holes and other compromised areas of road to allow road traffic uninterrupted access to those areas during construction projects and road repair projects.

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We have a large selection of used steel plates for sale. If you don’t see the type of steel plates you’re interested in, contact us here and our dedicated team of experts will help you find it.From used sheet pile and used wide flange beams, to truckable marine equipment, our online marketplace has it all.If you have any questions or would like additional information or help setting up a free listing, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Combi-Walls, also known as combined sheet piles, are a combination of sheet pile walls and steel pipe piles (king piles). Combi-walls are great for marine applications where extra support and stiffness are needed. They’re particularly ideal for dam projects, flood-proofing projects, canal construction, and port construction. Here are twelve things you may not know about combi-walls:1. Their unique construction gives them extra strength and stiffness. In order to install combi-walls, you need to drive the king piles, usually steel tubular piles, into soil. It’s necessary to use a pile driving frame to make sure the piles are properly and securely installed. Oftentimes, once king piles are done being driven, they are backfilled with reinforcing steel and concrete. Then, locks are welded to those piles to install sheet piles. The last step in combi-wall construction involves placing the sheet piles in between the king piles. This is usually done using a vibratory hammer. It’s also common for combi-walls to be stabilized using anchors or horizontal struts.2.They work in all types of soil. This is one of their key advantages in comparison to other options. No matter what the soil conditions, combi-walls can get the job done. This is also why they’re particularly well-suited for marine applications.3. King piles aren’t always tubular. Although tubular is the most common type of king pile, box, bearing piles, and other types of fabricated piles are also used in certain applications of combi-walls.4. H-piles are also sometimes used in the construction of combi-walls. H-piles are occasionally combined with sheet piles to form combi-walls for particular uses.5. For marine jobs, king piles need to be driven deeper. This allows for greater axial capacity and ultimately more stiffness and load bearing capacity.6. King piles must be driven straight and vertically. If they’re not precisely parallel to each other, the combi-walls will be compromised and may not provide an adequate amount of stiffness and support.7. Sometimes ground pre-treatment is necessary before pile driving begins. This may be required when driving conditions are difficult. Jetting or excavating within the king piles can be helpful.8. They’re an attractive alternative to structures used for similar purposes. They’re less expensive than secant walls and offer a lot more load bearing capacity in comparison to sheet pile walls. Secant walls also have issues like low verticality tolerance in deep piles, and it’s difficult to waterproof their joints. Combi-walls don’t have these same issues, making them an appealing alternative in addition to their lower price-tag.9. They can be used for both permanent and temporary applications. They’re durable enough for the long-haul but also fairly simple to dissemble and re-use on other job sites. Moreover, even if combi-walls are meant to be permanent, they can easily be removed should the needs of a site change.10. Permanent combi-walls should be protected against corrosion. Although durable, they are susceptible to eventual corrosion, particularly in marine settings. Care should be taken to provide them with protective coating to slow down corrosion and prevent rust, particularly in wet areas.11. They are a bit pricier than standard sheet piles. But for jobs that require greater wall stiffness, more wall moment resistance, and greater load bearing capabilities, they’re worth the extra cost for the extra support.12. Their individual parts can be sold or re-used for different purposes. Once temporary combi-walls are deconstructed, their king piles and sheet piles can be sold or re-used for different projects. They don’t necessarily need to be used to construct future combi walls. This makes combi-wall parts even more versatile in the long-term.BUY AND SELL USED COMBI-WALL AND SHEET PILE WITH EIFFEL TRADINGEiffel Trading currently has several options for used combined wall systems (including PZ/PZC sheet pile, AZ/NZ/ZZ/Hoesch sheet pile, and cold-rolled sheet pile), and used H-pile for sale. Don’t see what you need? Create a wanted listing for free today.Learn more about selling with Eiffel Trading to get started selling your used sheet pile and other materials today.If you would like more information or further assistance, call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Crane access trestles are excellent options for setting up cranes in bridge construction and marine projects, and they are now replacing barges in several major projects that hope to reduce their environmental impact. Access trestle is essentially a temporary bridge that can be constructed and taken down quickly, oftentimes by cranes and excavators that it later serves to support. It typically consists of driven pile bents, I-beams, and a timber mat deck. Here are six key benefits of crane access trestles:1. Trestles are better suited for shallow water. Typically, barges work best in deep areas, like the middle of rivers. A significant amount of dredging is required to mount cranes on barges in shallow water. This results in unnecessary environmental damage. Crane access trestles, on the other hand, offer the stability and support heavy machinery needs to get the job done, without requiring dredging.2. Trestles reduce dredging-related downtime. Many areas limit dredging to three-month or less periods per year. If a substantial amount of dredging is required for a project, this can result in project delays that can be avoided with trestles. Ultimately, trestles also reduce project costs due to delays and the overall cost of dredging.3. They help minimize red tape and regulatory hassles associated with dredging. Getting approval for dredging activities can be time-consuming and frustrating. With the use of trestle instead of barges, some projects can avoid dredging entirely. This means less legal work and worry about red tape.4. They aren’t affected by tidal range. This allows for more stability and work that’s uninterrupted by unexpected weather conditions and changes in tide.5. Portions of trestles can remain after a project’s completion. This is an added benefit of using them. Once a project is finished, portions of trestles can remain alongside bridges to allow for easier maintenance work and to function as maintenance docks, allowing emergency vessels and boats better and more efficient access to bridges in need of repair.6. With the help of bulkheads, they prevent coastal erosion related to bridge construction. Bulkheads function as walls that prevent soil from sifting into rivers as a result of construction. This is another key way the use of trestle can be eco-friendlier than the use of barges.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

As mentioned, dredging can have serious environmental impacts on affected areas. Sometimes dredging is the only way to get the job done, but solutions like crane access trestle can help minimize dredging and minimize environmental damage. Some of the known negative impacts of dredging include:• Altered soil deposits in the affected bodies of water, which results in destruction of natural habitats of river and marine life and disrupted ecosystems.• Changes in turbidity of the soil under the water, which can lean to contamination and breeding of harmful and unwanted organisms.• The spread of contaminated materials to the entire body of water.• Polluted water as the result of contaminated soil.Another issue for long-term projects is that dredging sometimes has to be repeated, which magnifies damage. Over time, rivers naturally return to the state that they were in before they were dredged, which necessitates repeating of the process. Many dredging-related headaches can be avoided with the use of crane access trestles, which is why trestles are becoming more and more popular for projects that aim to protect the environment and avoid regulatory frustrations and slowdowns. Barges are still often ideal for use in deep water, but crane access trestles may make the most sense for shallow areas. It’s also helpful to note that crane access trestles can be reused for future projects. Once a project is complete, trestles can be sold or repurposed for future projects, further proving their overall value and longevity in bridge and marine construction.

BUY AND SELL USED CRANE ACCESS TRESTLES WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading currently has several types of used crane access trestles for sale, in addition to many other types of used construction material and used construction equipment for sale.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Abrasive blasting (also commonly referred to as sandblasting) is a highly effective method of removing old paint, rust, dirt, and mill scale from marine equipment. It’s ideal for improving the coating life and getting rid of rust and other contaminants on ballast tanks, lube oil tanks, sumps, vessels, and drill ships. Currently, there are a number of different types abrasives used in blasting. Choosing the right material (abrasive) used for blasting is essential to providing your marine equipment with the best care and protection for the future. Here’s what you should know about some popular types of abrasive materials to help you find the solution that fits the needs of your equipment:

GARNET

Not just a gemstone found in jewelry, garnet is also used as an abrasive. It’s fast, effective, and produces relatively little dust in comparison to other options. It’s great for heavy-duty jobs that involve getting rid of tough coats and stubborn rust. Garnet is an excellent choice for a variety of jobs and is suited for use on concrete, steel, aluminum, asphalt, and brick. Its price tag is a bit higher than a few other abrasive options, however.

COAL SLAG

If you’re looking for an abrasive that gets the job done for a lower price, consider coal slag. You’ll also be doing the environment a favor if you opt for this abrasive. It’s a by-product from power plants that would otherwise end up as waste. It’s not ideal for wet abrasive blasting, so it’s not right for every job, but it’s quite decent for use on steel and concrete.

CRUSHED GLASS

Able to produce a cleaner finish than many other abrasives, crushed glass is a relatively low-cost and attractive option, particularly for use on concrete. It can also be used on steel, aluminum, asphalt, fiberglass, and brick, but other abrasives are often better choices for these surfaces.

WALNUT

This is one of the pricier abrasives but has become quite popular in recent years for use on motors and engines specifically. It doesn’t create anchor patterns and is tough against oil, grease, dirt, and paint. It’s also one of the eco-friendliest abrasives and generally creates less dust and waste.

MINERAL SANDS

Low dust and a middle-of-the-road price tag make mineral sands like staurolite and olivine viable to consider for the needs of your equipment. Rust and old coatings are no match for mineral sands.

PLASTIC

Great for use on aluminum, fiberglass, and other plastics, this is a gentle abrasive. It’s great for mold and paint removal on certain surfaces but isn’t usually forceful enough for steel, concrete, or asphalt. It’s also quite a bit more expensive than bargain abrasives like coal slag.

BAKING SODA

When baking soda is used as an abrasive, it’s often called “soda blasting.” It’s a fairly new type of abrasive, and some don’t even consider it an abrasive because it’s so gentle. It works well on plastics, wood, glass, and chrome and can help remove mold.Abrasive blasting has come a long way over the past several decades, and the reputation it has for being harmful to the environment or to workers is changing as well. The abrasives mentioned above are considerably safer and better for the environment than older options like silica sand, which has been linked to the lung condition, silicosis. With a variety of abrasives on the current market, you can factor in things like dust production, price, efficiency for particular materials, and overall strength to find a solution for your equipment that helps you protect it and extend its life.

BUY AND SELL USED AND SURPLUS MARINE EQUIPMENT WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s dedicated and experienced team is available to help buyers and sellers connect, negotiate, provide free freight quotes, and more. Let us help you every step of the way.From <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/barges" target="_blank">used barges</a> to <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/work-boats" target="_blank">used work boats</a> and other <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/marine-equipment" target="_blank">marine equipment</a>, our online marketplace has it all.Ready to sell your used equipment or material? <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/create-a-listing" target="_blank">List your products today</a> for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

There are seemingly an endless number of offshore construction terms and acronyms, and they can be difficult for even the seasoned offshore worker or oil and gas engineer to keep straight. For newbie engineers and offshore workers, the lingo can sometimes seem like a foreign language until they’re properly initiated and immersed in offshore culture. If you’re looking for a quick reference guide to help you out with some of the most common terms and acronyms, we’re here to help! Here’s a list of some of the key terms and abbreviations you’ll encounter in offshore construction:

Articulated Platform

Also referred to as an Oscillating Platform, an offshore flare tower, buoy, or other structure attached to seabed using an articulated hinge.

ADW

Approval to drill wells.

BOPD

Barrels per day (oil production rate).

BS&W

Basic sediment and water, impurities separated from crude oil before transport.

Bury Barge

Ship used to bury pipelines on a seabed.

Compaction

Involves the volume reduction of sediments to address an increase in material weight or relieve pressure from movements in the earth’s crust.

COT

Cargo oil tank, can refer to either crude tankers or product tankers.

Conductor Pipe

A large casing that serves as a guide pipe for drilling.

DCS

Distributed control system, the computerized control system or application that monitors drilling operations.

Derrick Man

A worker in charge of a drill stem.

Discovery Well

A newly discovered well that serves as an untapped source of petroleum.

Drag Bit

A bit used for drilling into soft sediment.

Drill Stem Test

Procedure that tests an area’s potential for viable drilling.

DSV

Driving support vessel, a ship used specifically for exploratory diving.

EIS

Environmental Impact Statement, a statement that predicts the potential environmental effects of a project.

EPIC

Engineering, procuring, installing, and commissioning, a special contract in which a contractor agrees to oversee an entire project from start to finish.

Flexible Joint

Also called a ball-joint, used during drilling on a vessel or rig.

FGD

Fire and gas detection.

First Oil

The first date oil is produced from a project, when the first shuttle tanker is full of oil and ready for delivery from the reservoir.

Gas Oil Ratio

Ratio between gas in cubic feet and oil in barrels.

GBS

Gravity based structure, an offshore oil platform secured by gravity.

HP

High pressure.

Injection Well

Also called a service well, a hole drilled for the purpose of injecting water or gas into a reservoir.

Infilling

A process that involves sediment being deposited into cracks and/or holes.

Jacket

The steel frame that supports the deck and topsides of an offshore platform.

Killing the well

Stopping the flow from a well completely.

Kelly

A square or hexagonal steel bar, part of a drill stem.

LP

Low pressure.

LWD

Logging while drilling.

Monopod

A rig with a cylindric stem connecting the seabed to the surface.

MODU

Mobile offshore drilling units, also called Semi-Submersible rigs, used for offshore drilling in particularly deep water.

NGL

Natural gas liquids.

OGIP

Original gas in place, also referred to as OOIP (original oil in place).

Operations Phase

Every operation after first oil until a project is complete.

P50

50% probability.

Penetration Rate

A drill bit’s speed through sediment.

POB

Persons on board.

PSV

Platform supply vessel, a ship that transports offshore oil and gas platforms.

PVT

Pressure, volume, and temperature.

RFT

Repeat formation tester, a logging tool that measures pressure in an open hole.

ROV

Remote operated vehicle.

SPM

Single point mooring, a floating buoy or jetty anchored offshore to facilitate the handling of petroleum.

SS

Subsea.

Stand-by Vessel

A permanently docked ship that allows a rig-crew to evacuate in case of emergency.

TLP

Tension leg platform, a floating platform attached to the seabed using chains or stays.

TLS

Target levels of safety.

TVD

True vertical depth.

UPS

Uninterruptible power supply

VTS

Vessel traffic service.

WBM

Water-based mud, mud used in drilling with water or saltwater as the major source of liquid.

WOR

Water-oil ratio.

Buy and Sell Offshore Material and Equipment with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading helps customers buy and sell used drill pipe, new/used sheet pile, and used/ surplus HDPE pipe. Looking for other material and equipment? Check out our selection of work boats, steel pipe, oilfield equipment, and more!All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used equipment or material? <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/create-a-listing" target="_blank">List your products today</a> for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

On May 23, 2019, Royal Dutch Shell announced that it had started producing oil and gas at its Appomattox platform in the Gulf of Mexico, months ahead of schedule. The company also noted that this well is “just the beginning” of activity in the area. Following this news, an expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration activities is not unexpected. Keeping that in mind, we took a look at the barges, tugboats, and offshore supply vessels that will help assemble and dismantle new drilling rigs in the near future.Barges and tugboats are most commonly used for marine construction or transportation purposes like general dredging, bridge building, or heavy equipment or material storage and transportation. However, they’re also quite commonly used to provide support for the offshore oil and gas industry by providing accommodations, hosting crane equipment, pipelaying, and more.On the other hand, offshore supply vessels (OSVs) are ships that operate as support for offshore oil and gas platforms or rigs, transporting crew members, supplies, equipment, and more, to and from a site.Continue reading to learn about the different types of vessels that are used today for offshore oil and gas exploration and rig construction.

Barges

Accommodation Work Barge

Accommodations barges provide housing to employees working offshore. They’re typically used during commissioning and decommissioning, but can be fitted with equipment for pipelaying, construction equipment, helicopter pads, and more. Typically, these barges can house anywhere from 75-400+ people at a time, though there are vessels available with housing for 800+ workers.

Crane-Mounted Barge

Crane-mounted barges are used in offshore construction, such as bridge work, and in oil and gas, often assisting in installation, assembly, and disassembly operations on platforms and MODUs. These crane lift barges are also used in salvage and wreck clean-up operations.

Deck Barge

Deck barges transport the supplies and materials needed to piece together the drilling rig and derrick. Deck barges are ideal for oversized, oddly-shaped, or other heavy equipment and material. They can also serve as a work area due to their large sizes.

Dredger

Dredgers are used to clear sediment and create trenches for pipeline laying purposes. However, dredging activities also may include laying pipeline protection in the form of clay or rock, oil spill recovery and cleanup, and creating or widening canals and harbors to create room for other vessels to maneuver.

Spud Barge

Spud barges are often used for pipe laying and repair, though other applications include pile driving, heavy lifting, or support for heavy machinery. These barges are anchored by lowering their spuds into the seabed to prevent shifting or swaying, which provides a safe working and construction space.

Tugboats

In a previous blog, we discussed the differences between push and tug boats. In the context of oil and gas exploration operations, ocean tugboats are often used to assist disabled ships other vessels that are not self-propelled like barges and oil platforms, while inland tugboats are used to maneuver tankers and ships in harbors or other narrow waterways.

Vessels

Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS)

Anchor handling tug supply vessels are designed to anchor, tow, and support offshore oil rigs. These vessels can also act as supply vessels to an offshore rig and are capable of operating under extreme conditions. Their durability also allows these vessels to act as rescue ships in emergency situations.AHTS vessels performs the role of anchor for other vessels, including drill ships or barges. The AHTS is connected to other vessels using strong cables and its own anchor is dropped. The other vessels are anchored by extension.

Pipe Laying Vessel

Pipe laying vessels consist of a crane, pump, valves, and pipe laying equipment. These vessels have welding stations on the ship to weld strings of pipe together, or to help fix misshapen pipe. The pipelines run from the pay zone to refineries on shore.

Platform Supply Vessel (PSV)

Platform supply vessels (PSVs) provide support and supplies to offshore platforms, including transporting general supplies, equipment, personnel, and more to and from other vessels or offshore drilling rigs. Supplies often include fuel tanks, drilling fluids/drilling mud, drill pipe, and other cargo necessary for the drilling process.PSVs utilize above- and below-deck storage areas. Vessels with larger decks are used for commissioning and decommissioning purposes, where larger cargo deliveries are required more frequently.

Buy and Sell OSVs with Eiffel Trading

Our online marketplace has a variety of used/surplus metal and steel pipe, used/surplus drill pipe, and used/surplus HDPE pipe for sale. We also have a large selection of used loaders, used dozers, used sheet pile, used wide flange beams, and much more available now.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used equipment or material? <a href= "https://go.eiffeltrading.com/create-a-listing" target="_blank">List your products today</a> for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

On May 13, 2019, Acrow Bridge announced the acquisition of UK-based Mabey Bridge. The companies were previously rivals in the pre-engineered modular bridging/temporary bridging market.Both companies will continue to operate under their respective brands, but Acrow notes that the merger “provides customers with solutions that are based on a more expansive global reach, enhanced manufacturing capabilities, a larger product portfolio,” and more.In this post, we will discuss the differences between the Acrow and Mabey temporary bridge systems and take a look at the history of pre-engineered modular bridge systems.

Temporary Bridges

Temporary bridges are a type of prefabricated truss bridge, made up different configurations of beams and platforms to create a temporary passageway for foot traffic, vehicular traffic, and heavy equipment traffic. The original Bailey Bridge was designed during World War II and intended for military use. Mabey was one of the original manufacturers of the Bailey Bridge, which was small and light enough that the wood or steel parts could be carried via truck, placed by hand, and still support heavy military equipment such as tanks.

Acrow

Acrow notes that their temporary modular bridges are used on excavation, construction, and drilling sites. The bridging provides access for heavy equipment, workers, or vehicular traffic, if the bridge is used to divert traffic around worksites. Instead of offering multiple types of bridge configurations, Acrow’s modular bridge system is used to create both temporary and permanent bridges (vehicular and railroad), lift bridges, detour bridges, extractive bridges, pedestrian bridges, and more.

Mabey

Today Mabey produces several types of site access bridges (though can all can be made permanent with modifications): the Mabey Compact 200, the Mabey Atlas Bridge, and the Mabey Pedestrian Bridge.

1. The Mabey Compact 200, the most popular model, is a modernized version of the original Bailey Bridge. This modular bridge can be installed temporarily or as a permanent solution for up to two lanes of traffic plus external footpaths.
2. The Mabey Atlas Bridge is commonly used to create flyovers to ease traffic congestion (up to four lanes), but is also useful in creating access roads to hard-to-reach construction or work zones. The Atlas Light Bridge spans a maximum of two lanes.
3. The Mabey Pedestrian Bridge, or the Mabey Footbridge, is used across the globe as both a permanent part of infrastructure and as construction site access bridging. These bridges use the same modular components as the Compact 200, but can be placed in many different widths, with a wide selection of panels, to maximize pedestrian safety.

To read more about the original Bailey Bridge, read How the army’s Amazing Bailey Bridge is BuiltHow the army’s Amazing Bailey Bridge is Built*, written in January 1945, at The War Illustrated’s digital archive.

Buy and Sell Used Temporary Bridges with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading currently has several types of used temporary bridge systems for sale, in addition to many other types of used construction material and used construction equipment for sale.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

In our post An Introduction to Timber Crane Mats, we discussed how hardwood crane mats, sometimes called construction mats, are built from durable, load-bearing material. These ground protection mats are specially designed to support the weight and movement of heavy machinery and are especially useful for work using heavy equipment in remote areas that are uneven or environmentally-sensitive.In general, ground protection mats include crane mats, outrigger mats, and cribbing.Recently, we’ve had customers ask us about the differences between hardwood ground protection/construction mats and plastic or composite maps. We’ve also heard from customers who have a strong preference for one over the other.

Hardwood Mats

Crane mats are built using heavy timbers that are held together using steel bolts. These construction mats typically measure 8, 10, 12, or even 16 inches thick (depending on the manufacturer), 4 to 8 feet wide, and up to 40 feet long. Mats can be arranged to create larger and uniquely shaped configurations.Hardwood mats are also available as outrigger mats. These dense mats are often steel-reinforced, available with or without chokers (handles or manual grips). These outrigger mats are a good choice for creating access roads for large trucks or other rubber-tired equipment, as they create a stable platform and are more lightweight than larger crane mats. The connection systems in timber crane or outrigger mats ensure that the mats stay in place for the duration of the project.Hardwood mats – laid for crane, other types of heavy equipment, pipelaying, vehicles, or as a working surface – provide protection for personnel, property, and the surrounding environment. Using hardwood mats helps prevent damage like ground erosion, vegetation disruption, and helps the area maintain its natural drainage flows.Some hardwood timber ground protection mats are supported by a steel frame, which helps extend the life of the mat. An added benefit of using hardwood crane mats is that operators can put mats in place using the very crane they will later support. This reduces the need for extra equipment during placing.

Plastic Mats

Plastic and composite construction mats are offered by many different companies, but most mats are plastic or laminate. Though plastic mats are often more light-weight and thus less expensive to transport, the up-front cost is much higher than that of hardwood mats. Plastic mats can also come with many risks.Plastic mats may or may not have an anti-slip coating or surface, depending on the manufacturer. Mats without this protective surface can also be dangerous during hazardous weather – the pads can become slick, endangering staff and posing a risk to equipment and material on the site.Plastic ground protection mats do not always provide an equal load distribution to protect the ground underneath. Uneven loads can cause sections of matting to rock up or down, disturbing the natural landscape underneath. Damaged or cracked plastic mats can also cause damage to the surrounding area.

Final Thoughts

All ground protection mats will wear out eventually. Hardwood mats, unlike plastic mats, are built with recoverable materials. There are no industry standards or regulations to help guide manufacturers, which means that every provider of ground protection plastic mats may use different methods of production and assembly. Hardwood crane, outrigger, and ground protection mats are typically produced in the same fashion from manufacturer to manufacturer, because those providers already know what works.

Buy and Sell Used Crane Mats with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading currently has many new and used crane mats for sale, plus used cranes and used excavators to operate on top of them.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Epoxy, 3LPE, 3LPP, or CTE coating? Whether you’re considering using steel pipe for pile driving/foundation work, to create water/oil and gas pipelines, or for another reason entirely, the type of coating on your steel pipe can make or break your project.A damaged pipe can be an engineer’s worst nightmare. Buried steel pipes are susceptible to corrosion that can cause service interruptions, or worse, explosions. Whether you choose seamless or welded steel pipe, it’s important to ensure the coating and pipe itself are right for your type of project. In this post we’ll cover the most common types of steel pipe coatings and their best uses.

Epoxy Coating

Epoxy coatings consist of epoxy resins, hardeners, pigments, flow control additives, and stabilizers. The stabilizers help to ease the application process and provide performance enhancement.

Fusion-Bonded Epoxy

Fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) is a one-part coating, applied in powder form and bonded to the exterior of a pipe through heat curing and chemical cross-linking. Once the coating cools, it hardens and becomes very resistant to chemical reactions. This type of coating can be single or double layered. A major benefit of FBE coating is that it solidifies as a uniform layer on the surface of the pipe. The bonding stays hardened despite exposure to further heat.Internal FBE coating can be applied to protect the steel pipe from corrosion and some mechanical impacts. It also provides resistance to cathodic disbondment (loss of adhesion) in oil and gas pipelines where solid particles travel at high speeds, creating a risk for internal damage to the steel pipe.FBC coating a popular choice for piping connections and pipeline construction. It can be applied either at the pipe mill or in the field. External FBE coating is extremely effective as a coating for providing solvent, electrical, water, and cathodic disbondment resistance.

Coal Tar Epoxy

Coal tar epoxy (CTE) coating is a type of liquid epoxy. In this type of coating, some of the mineral fillers are replaced with a semi-liquid-state coal tar pitch. As with FBE, CTE is hardened through heat-fueled reaction of resin and hardener. CTE coating takes significantly longer to cure than FBE coating. CTE coatings can be either mill-applied or field-applied.This type of CTE coating should not be used in situations where solvent and impact resistance are of high importance, but has is excellent for resisting water penetration, electrical impact, and cathodic disbondment. However, it’s a popular choice for underground pipeline systems, as it is well-suited to resist natural conditions like soil contamination, extreme temperatures, and moisture.

3LPE & 3LPP Coating

Three-layer polyethylene/propylene (3LPE/3LPP) steel pipe coatings are a type of hybrid coating consisting of a high-performance FBE base layer, a copolymer adhesive later, and a third, outer layer of side-extruded medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These outer layers help protect the steel pipe from elements which can lead to external corrosion, but are also helpful in protecting the pipe during transportation and installation. 3LPE and 3LPE coatings can only be applied at a steel pipe mill.3LPE has some of the strongest resistance properties, protecting against electrical currents, water, solvent, and impact penetration, abrasions, and cathodic disbondment. 3LPP has a higher threshold for impact and abrasion resistance but is also suitable for protecting against electrical currents, water and solvent penetrations, and cathodic disbondment.

CTE Coating

Coal tar enamel (CTE) coating – not to be confused with coal tar epoxy – is what’s referred to as a thermoplastic polymeric coating, meaning the plastic polymer is heated to be applied, then solidifies once cooled. CTE coating can be applied in the mill or on the field. It is one of the oldest methods for steel pipe coating, and is also one of the least expensive types of steel pipe coating and easily repaired in the field.This type of coating consists of four parts: primer, coal tar enamel, a glass fiber inner-wrap, and a glass fiber outer-wrap. Enamel and wrap grades are selected based on the pipe’s intended application. It is primarily used today under concrete weight-coated pipe as corrosion protection.

Applying Coatings

In all of the above cases, steel pipe must be prepped for the coating application process. The preparation process ensures that the surface of the pipe is clean and free of rust, debris, or mill scale. The method of steel pipe preparation will vary by coating type and manufacturer, but may include using solvents or hand/power tools.Always check with your state DOT to see if any specific type of coating is required in your area.

Buy and Sell Used and Surplus Steel Pipe with Eiffel Trading

Our online marketplace currently has a host of used and surplus steel pipe for sale ranging from under 10 inches to 100-plus inches for sale. Looking for other steel materials? Check out our selections of wide flange beams, H-pile, and steel plates.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.