Tips & Advice Posts

There are some key differences between a barge and dredge broker and an online marketplace that helps sell barges and dredges. These differences matter to both buyers and sellers. In this article, we’ll be focusing on how buying your barges and dredges on an online marketplace can benefit you as opposed to buying from a broker. Here are three reasons to consider the alternative of an online marketplace:<h3>1. An online marketplace is more transparent about pricing.</h3>Go to any typical brokers’ site and you’ll see countless listings without prices. On an online marketplace, there will typically only be a few listings without prices due to special circumstances. The more prices you see up front, the better. Transparency about pricing means you don’t end up paying more than necessary because a broker tried to make an extra profit on a barge or dredge with no price listed.<h3>2. Chances are, you’ll save money<span style="line-height: 1.5;">.</span></h3>Brokers only specialize in selling one thing, which often means price hikes for buyers and commission hikes for sellers. They want to make the highest profit possible because they have fewer options for making profits. At Eiffel Trading Company, we’re typically able to save buyers money and help sellers increase their profits. We’re able to do this because we sell a lot of different things and focus on delivering the most value to everyone involved.<h3>3. Listings come straight from sellers.</h3>Typically, brokers ask that sellers send them pictures and information of barges and dredges that they then upload and post on their sites or that they advertise using other print channels. This can be a slow process. A seller may already be close to selling a barge or dredge once a broker starts advertising it. Marketplaces use the latest technology to allow sellers to upload listings themselves. This means listings get to the public faster, and buyers are more likely to know the full details and status of a barge or dredge when they find it on a marketplace.Looking for a used barge or dredge? Check out some of our options for you!

Looking to get the most bang for your buck for your used crane mats? Ditch the auction scene, and consider listing them online. Here are some good reasons to list your crane mats and reconsider selling them at auction:<h3>1. You name the price.</h3>You won’t be paid less than market rate for your crane mats, as is common at unreserved auctions. At unreserved auctions, the goods go to the highest bidder, regardless of how low their bid is. This can be risky, particularly when you’re selling materials like crane mats, which are expected to be priced lower than the rest of the heavy equipment typically sold at auctions.<h3>2. You get to keep your selling rights.</h3>When your crane mats go up for auction, you don’t have the option to advertise that you’re selling them anywhere else. In unreserved auctions, this means you definitely might not find a buyer who’s willing to pay you the price you expect, but you’re still locked in to selling to them. In reserved auctions, this means your crane mats could be up for auction for an extended period of time before you find a seller because you didn’t have an opportunity to advertise anywhere else.<h3>3. There’s no listing fee.</h3>When you list your crane mats and other materials with sites like Eiffel Trading, there’s never any listing fee. Popular online auction options often charge a fee to list, which cuts into your profits from a sale.<h3>4. Your crane mats will be sold to the most interested buyers.</h3>They’ll be sold to buyers who are searching specifically for crane mats online, instead of just auction attendees looking to get a good deal on goods. At Eiffel Trading, we optimize our website to target the right buyers looking for materials just like yours. This benefits both buyers and sellers. In short, we help you find each other.&nbsp;

In any area of engineering, safety cannot be an afterthought; it has to be carefully considered throughout every step of the process. This is especially true when you are dealing with a substance that has the potential to be very dangerous, such as gas. Ensuring that the gas isn’t leaking from the pipelines once they’re installed is only one part of the process. There are a variety of factors to consider when ensuring the safety of pipelines, as we have outlined below:PlanningWe have a saying: ‘proper planning prevents poor pipelines’. And despite sounding a bit silly, it’s absolutely true. Taking time to prepare an in-depth plan will help to keep everyone involved in the design, build and installation process on the same page, and help to avoid any future problems from occurring.DesignDesigning pipelines isn’t as easy as drawing a cylinder and hoping for the best. Time has to be taken to ensure that the design is airtight (literally) and that the pipelines will fit around the architecture of the building that they will be supplying with gas. Using CAD technology can help to minimize human error, as well as speeding up the design process significantly.InstallationProvided that the last two steps have been fully completed, installation can usually take place without any major hiccups. The only important point to consider at this stage is whether you want workers or machines to carry out the welding work for you. Orbital welding is a popular process that relies on machine precision to do the hard work, which helps to minimize the chance of any human error.Ongoing maintenanceIt’d be nice if we could just dust our hands off once all of the above steps have been completed, but ongoing maintenance is a key part of ensuring the health of the pipeline. Degreasing, the process of removing residual oils and other contaminants, can help to maintain the performance of the pipes, as well as helping to avoid any spontaneous combustion in the presence of oxygen.The need for safe pipelines is especially important when you consider the fact that many of the buildings that rely on a regular supply of gas, such as hospitals, would be seriously affected by any malfunctions or problems with the pipeline systems.This is an Industry Insider post by Sam Williamson. Mr. Williamson works for Hospital Pipeline Installations. You can learn more about his company at http://www.hpil.co.uk/. If you’re interested in becoming an Industry Insider and contributing to our blog, please get in touch with us at bhanley(AT)eiffeltradingcompany(DOT)com.

This is our second featured project article, and we’re very happy to help spread the word about the I-75 Slide in Place Bridge. We spoke with Brian French, the P.E. Project Engineer, and Theresa Pollick, the Ohio Department of Transportation, District Two Public Information Officer, to learn more about this impressive construction endeavor.The I-75 at US 6 Slide in Place Bridge project was the first of its kind in Ohio’s history. This project took out and replaced a major, interstate bridge over the course of just 62 hours. This was able to be accomplished in such a short period of time thanks to the contractor’s use of a method referred to as a “slide in” or “lateral slide” of the bridge. This method is quick, efficient, and reduces disruption to traffic.The “Bridge Slide” was considered part of the Interstate 75 Widening Project from Perrysburg to Findlay, Ohio. Kokosing Construction Inc. was the primary contractor of this project. Arcadis, ODOT employees and local first responders also helped ensure the project went according to plan.The contractor used four hydraulic jacks to move the 4.5-million-pound bridge into place. The process began in August 2014, when Kokosing Construction Company Inc. designed, fabricated and built the temporary structure to support the new bridge.“It has taken a little over a year to complete the new bridge, permanent substructure and prep the roadway.  It took just one weekend to move the bridge,” said Area Engineer Brian French.During the slide, ODOT kept all lanes of I-75 traffic open.  The weekend of the move did require the full closure of US Route 6.Here’s a video that includes some of the major highlights of the project:In December, the district plans on using the same method and applying it to the northbound Interstate 75 structure over US Route 6, which we think will be just as an impressive feat!If you would like us to learn more about and feature your construction project, please contact us at bhanleyATeiffeltradingcompanyDOTcom. We’d love to write about what you have in the works!

Equipment theft can be a big and costly problem for contractors. Fortunately, there are things you can do to better protect your equipment from theft. Consider these simple tips as a starting point:

• Get your equipment registered with the National Equipment Register. The National Equipment Register is the only comprehensive database of heavy equipment in the U.S. Registering your equipment will make it easier to find in the event that it’s stolen and will make it easier to file a report with law enforcement.
• Keep records regarding equipment organized, and make sure you include pertinent identifying information in your records, including make, model, model year, and VIN number.
• Keep your equipment in a fenced-in area. A high, chain-link fence is ideal because it makes theft more difficult and more conspicuous.
• Designate that only certain employees are “key holders” of valuable equipment. Any keys should be turned into these key holders at the end of each work day.
• Anchor equipment with chains and cables.
• When possible, install theft prevention devices that will immobilize equipment if someone tampers with it.
• Invest in GPS tracking software for trucks and other fleet vehicles. Unfortunately, light utility vehicles and trucks are among the most commonly stolen types of equipment.
• Make sure your worksites are well-lit at night, even when all of your workers are off the clock.
• Have managers keep record of any suspicious behavior they encounter.
• Stamp or engrave your heavy equipment to make it easier to identify if stolen.
• Install surveillance cameras or hire a security guard to monitor your work sites.
• Know what’s most commonly stolen and go to extra lengths to secure it. According to a 2012 NICB report, bachoes, skid steers, tractors, graders, and scrapers are some of the most commonly stolen equipment types.

Equipment theft prevention doesn’t have to be difficult or a huge investment. It does require effort and planning ahead, though. Consider the tips listed above as you refine how you approach equipment security.

As we write this, there are thousands of impressive, awe-inspiring construction projects in the works. From time to time on the Dirt Blog, we'll be featuring projects we think are worth sharing with our readers. The first project we'd like to feature here is the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project. We spoke with David Parks, the I-4 Ultimate Public Information Officer to learn more about this major project expected to dramatically improve transportation in Central Florida. Mr. Parks is one of the many people who relocated to Orlando to be a part of the project, which is one of enormous scope.The I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project will expand and improve I-4 from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County. This project aims to improve both the design of I-4 and its functionality. It will affect and improve access to area attractions, access to downtown Orlando, and access to the Ivanhoe and Altamonte areas. This is a six-year long, $2.4 billion project that affects 21 miles. The contract for this project was signed in September 2014, design officially began in October 2014, and construction, operations, and maintenance officially commenced in February 2015.The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has entered into a contract with I-4 Mobility Partners to make this project come to fruition. I-4 Mobility Partners (I4MP), a joint venture between John Laing and Skanska, is the Concessionaire who has contracted with Skanska Granite and Lane (SGL Constructors), a joint venture, to design and construct the project. SGL has contracted with Infrastructure Corporation of America (ICA) for the operations and maintenance of the interstate during construction and with HDR and Jacobs for the design. Once the project is completed, I4MP will be responsible for the long term maintenance and operations .When we spoke to Mr. Parks, he noted that it's rare for multiple organizations to get involved in a project like this. Because this project is such an impressive feat, however, he said that it made sense for the FDOT to team up with contractors and other professionals to help guarantee a high quality outcome.“A Public Private Partnership (P3) was the best mechanism for FDOT to complete a project of this magnitude in this fairly quick timeframe. P3s bring together companies that can finance, design, construct and maintain a project such as this bringing high quality to infrastructure,” Mr. Parks noted.In case you're wondering, below are some stats regarding materials used for this venture. Please keep in mind that these are estimates:

• 74,200 linear feet of water and sewer line
• 2-million tons of lime rock
• 1.2 million tons of paving aggregate
• 3.5-million square feet of panels to support earth works, also known MSE wall(s)
• 387,000 linear feet of pipe
• 92-million pounds of rebar
• 67-million pounds of structural steel
• 2.2-million square feet of decking (concrete)
• 273,000 linear feet of pre-stress beams (concrete)
• 27,000 linear feet of concrete pile
• 617,000 cubic yards of ready-mix concrete

We asked Mr. Parks some questions about logistics and safety to get more insight into the inner-workings of the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project. He noted that everyone involved, from designers to contractors to media professionals, has to go through comprehensive safety training. In terms of logistical concerns, Mr. Parks informed us that managing traffic flow is the project's biggest challenge. Hundreds of thousands of drivers travel on I-4 each day. To avoid traffic issues, I-4 lane closure only occurs during nighttime hours Monday through Friday. Approximately 60-70% of the work is being done during the day.Here's a map that shows areas of I-4 that will benefit from this impressive redesign:<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7819" src="http://www.eiffeltradingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/I-4-Ultimate-Map.png" alt="I-4 Ultimate Map" width="480" height="844" />We would like to thank David Parks and the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project as a whole for giving us the opportunity to feature their work on our blog. If you're involved in a project you would like us to feature here, please email us at bhanley(AT)eiffeltradingcompany(DOT)com. We'd love to hear more about what you're doing!Note: The I-4 Mobility Partners are not affiliated with Eiffel Trading Company, and SGL Contractors have their own procurement department, which does not use eiffeltradingcompany.com.

If you’re looking to invest in some new corrugated steel pipes that are already coated, or if you’re looking to get some of your current pipes coated, it’s beneficial to have a clear understanding of the different types of coating available for these pipes. Well-coated pipes last much longer and can better withstand the elements in a variety of different climates and conditions. To help you learn more about coating options, here are some of the most common types of coatings you’ll find and some of their individual benefits:<h3>Zinc Coating (Galvanized Coating)</h3>Zinc coating, sometimes referred to as galvanized coating, is a great choice if you want your corrugated steel pipes to last longer. It helps prevent rust and corrosion, and it increases the usable life of your pipes to between 50 and 100 years. This is the most affordable coating option available.<h3>Asphalt Coating </h3>Asphalt coating can be added internally and externally to pipes. It increases the life of your pipes to around 75-100 years and can help with hydraulics, depending on your needs. It’s the right choice if you’re concerned about preserving soil conditions.<h3>Polymer Coating </h3>Polymer coating is ideal for pipes used in drains and culverts. It increases the usable life of your pipes to around 100 years, and it does a fine job of protecting against abrasion and rust. It’s not uncommon to find a layer of polymer coating on top of pipe that has already been coated in zinc.<h3>Aluminum Alloy Coating</h3>This type of coating doesn’t increase the weight of pipes as much as other types. It’s perfect for underground water storage, storm sewers, and other drainage projects. Aluminum alloy coating extends the life of pipes to around 75 years.<h3>Aluminized Steel Type 2 Coating </h3>If you’re looking for the most strength and durability possible, this is your best bet. It combines the strength of steel with the extra durability of aluminum. It adds about 0.0019 inches of thickness on both sides of pipes and consequently adds a bit more weight to pipes than other options.We hope we've shed some light on possible coating options for your corrugated steel pipes to help you make the best investments moving forward. Make sure you check out some of your pipe options on our marketplace if you're in the market for some corrugated steel pipes!

As we write this from Houston, Texas, it's pretty darn hot outside and hard to imagine that winter's just a few months away. Despite the heat, we think it's important to have a year-long plan for the maintenance and protection of your valuable equipment. So, we thought we'd offer you some suggestions to help you prepare your equipment for freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and some of the other challenges winter brings. Here are nine things you can do this year to avoid trouble when the coldest season arrives:1. Top off fluid levels. Freezing temperatures can affect the fluid levels of your machinery, so it's best to make sure you aren't low on anything vital before winter.2. Make any necessary repairs.  Inspect all of your equipment and machinery and make repairs before winter brings harsh weather that further affects the performance and compromises the safety of your crew.3. Swap out weak batteries. Cold weather drains batteries faster. Check the charge of any and all batteries and change any batteries that are having trouble holding a charge.4. Appropriately store any equipment you don't plan on using.  Avoid leaving it outside and exposed to the elements if you can, and opt for indoor storage if possible. This will help prevent unnecessary wear, rusting, and damage.5. Change engine oil and filters. If your equipment runs on an engine, consider changing oil and oil filters at the start of winter. Your machinery has to work a bit harder when it's freezing outside, and freezing temperatures often drain oil prematurely. So, oil changes are a great idea. If you're going to be working in arctic temperatures, consider using artic oil instead of hydraulic oil in your equipment.6. Plan on running your equipment periodically when you aren't using it. Running equipment every once in a while when you aren't using it can help prevent it from breaking down when you need it later in the winter.7. Inflate tires. Tires can quickly deflate when temperatures dip. So, plan on inflating all of your tires at the beginning of the season, and plan on regularly checking their air levels throughout winter.8. Clean windows and mirrors. Fog and ice will both cause problems in these areas during the winter. So, set them up for success by cleaning them at the beginning of winter, and plan on cleaning them periodically throughout.9. Winterize your equipment's tires.  If you know you'll be driving equipment through snow and ice, consider getting some winter tires for equipment, if they're available. These can make a big difference.As you make a plan for your equipment for winter, make sure you also keep these OSHA winter safety tips in mind. We also suggest that you stock up on things like snow shovels and sand that you'll need if your crews will be working in areas that are hit particularly hard by winter weather.

One of the strongest debates in the heavy civil and marine construction industries is over the use of hot-rolled or cold-formed (cold-rolled) sheet pile. Hot-rolled sheet piles typically have a ball-and-socket or Larssen interlock, while cold-rolled sheet piles have a bent-plate interlock.Each type of sheet pile offers advantages depending on your application. To help determine the best type of sheet pile to use on your next project, we have researched the histories, production methods, and advantages of both hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet pile.

Hot Rolled Sheet Pile

Hot-rolled sheet piles have been available for over a hundred years – the first iteration, flat sheet piles, evolved into the U-shape, then the Z-shape we are most accustomed to today. The Larssen interlocking system, patented in 1914, was the first interlock fabricated directly onto the sheet pile along the neutral axis. Prior to that, interlocks were added to sheet pile sections after the manufacturing process was complete.

Production

Hot-rolled steel has been pressed at temperatures over 1,700F, which makes it easier to shape and form. Here’s a look at the production process for hot-rolled steel sheet pile:

1. A large rectangular beam, called a billet, is heated and flattened into a large roll
2. The roll of steel is run through a series of rollers, still at extremely high temperatures, to achieve the desired dimensions and shape

Advantages

1. More durable interlocks: This allows the sheets to be driven and pulled many times before the interlocks are worn out
2. Better-suited for hard pile driving: The interlocks on hot-rolled sheet piles are also thicker and tighter than that of cold-rolled sheet pile. This gives the sheet piles greater strength to be driven into tough ground conditions
3. Higher recycled steel content: LEED requirements sometimes dictate the use of recycled materials. Hot-rolled sheet piles have almost 100% recycled steel content, while cold-rolled sheet piles typically consist of around 80% recycled material
4. More water-tight: Hot-rolled sheet piles perform better in seepage tests, due in large part to the tighter interlocks

Cold-Rolled Sheet Pile

Cold-rolled sheet pile is a newer addition to the steel sheet pile market: it was introduced in the 1970s.

Production

1. A steel billet is heated and rolled in the same manner as hot-rolled sheet pile, but instead of being shaped into the flat, U, or Z sheet pile sections while hot, the coils are left to cool
2. The hot-rolled coils are then run through a mill and shaped at room temperature into the final flat, U, or Z shape

Advantages

1. More readily available: Cold-rolled sheet piles are produced at higher quantities than hot-rolled sheet piles, increasing the number of rolling dates to choose from. Typical production time is 2 weeks
2. Cost-effective: Cold-rolled sheet pile is about 30-40% less expensive to produce than hot-rolled sheet pile
3. Less expensive to transport: Due to the larger number of cold-Rolled sheet pile manufacturers, there is a higher chance that you can find a mill located nearby than if you were to purchase hot-rolled sheet piles. Additionally, the larger selection of cold-rolled sheet piles may allow you to find sections with a section modulus closer to your design specifications without a large increase in weight
4. More flexibility in positioning: Cold-rolled sheet pile interlocks allow for a 25-degree rotation, rather than the 7-to-10-degree rotation allowed with hot-rolled sheet pile using ball-and-socket interlocks

Which Should You Use?

The answer: It depends. Properties like section modulus and steel grade for both types of sheet piles are similar. However, as mentioned above, hot-rolled sheet piles tend to be more water-tight than cold-rolled piles, which is a major consideration for bridge and marine construction projects.On the other hand, many manufacturers only produce hot-rolled sheet piles in lengths up to 60 feet, and at 5 feet intervals. Other lengths are considered special orders. Hot-rolled sheet pile may also weigh more per foot, making it a more expensive product and more expensive to transport.If you are still unsure which type of sheet pile to use for your project, consult your project engineer or designer and work together to determine the best solution.

Buy and Sell Used Work Boats and Barges with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading currently has several options for used sheet pile for sale (including PZ/PZC sheet pile, PS sheet pile, AZ/NZ/ZZ/Hoesch sheet pile, and cold-rolled sheet pile) as well as used combined wall systems available on our marketplace. Don’t see the type of sheet pile 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.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. If you would like more information or further assistance, call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

When you are procuring steel for government contracts it is important to understand the general provisions that are typically included in your contract.  Typical provisions included are the “Buy American Act” and “Buy America” provision from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.   These two provisions sound similar, but have different considerations for meeting each provision’s requirements.&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buy American Act</span>The Buy American Act was signed by executive order on December 17, 1954.  The Buy American Act applies to contracts for construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work in the United States.   The Buy American Act requires that over 50% of the product be attributed to American-made content.  The Trade Agreement Act also allows products from countries that have signed certain international trade agreements with the United States to receive nondiscriminatory consideration and qualify for the Buy American Act.  The Trade Agreement Act allows products from signatory countries of the following agreements to qualify as domestic products:  World Trade Organization; Free Trade Agreement; Least Developed Countries; Caribbean Basin.  If your federal contract is over $7,846,000.00 (or over $10,335,931.00 if you are dealing with products from Bahrain, Canada, Mexico or Oman) end-products are generally treated as domestic products in accordance with the Buy American Act.  The cost-based waiver for provision is if the domestic materials are 6% more expensive than the foreign materials.The following countries are generally treated as domestic- producing countries in accordance with the Buy American Act:<strong>World Trade Organization Countries</strong>World Trade Organization Countries</em>Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, or United Kingdom.<strong>Free Trade Agreement Countries</strong>Free Trade Agreement Countries</em>Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Korea (Republic of), Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, or Singapore.<strong>Least Developed Countries</strong>Least Developed Countries</em>Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina, Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, or Zambia.<strong>Caribbean Basin Countries</strong>Caribbean Basin Countries</em>Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, or Trinidad and Tobago.&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buy America Provision</span>The Buy America provision, also known as the Berry Amendment, was signed into law under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This provision is included in government contracts that are funded wholly or in part by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.  This provision requires 100% of the product be American-made content.  The cost-based waiver for this provision is if the domestic materials are 25% more expensive than the foreign materials.&nbsp;This information is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice.  Eiffel Trading, LLC is neither an attorney nor legal counsel, and you should consult an attorney for legal advice regarding the content covered in this article.&nbsp;References:http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2025_1.htmlhttp://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2025_4.html#wp1086589http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2025_2.htmlhttp://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42501.pdfhttp://www.agc.org/galleries/default-file/The%20Construction%20Contractor-’s%20Guide%20To%20Buy%20American%20Rules%20and%20Regulations.pdf&nbsp;