Tips & Advice Posts

You may be familiar with some of the benefits of using carbon steel pipes, which are well-known for their longevity and strength. Carbon steel pipe fittings and valves offer many of the same advantages. If you’re in the market for pipe fittings and valves, here are some compelling reasons to consider carbon steel:

• Steel is already strong. Adding carbon to it makes it even stronger and more durable.
• Carbon steel pipe fittings and valves are safer for your crews to work with because they aren’t covered in glues, pesticides, and other preservatives like some fittings and valves.
• Carbon steel is flame-resistant, pest-resistant, and rot-resistant.
• It also doesn’t corrode or rust in overly acidic environments.
• It helps absorb vibration and shock and can stand more pressure than traditional steel and other materials commonly used to make fittings and valves, which means it’s ideal to use for road projects.
• Because of its strength and ability to withstand more pressure, carbon steel pipe fittings and valves can be thinner than other options, which makes them more versatile.
• Carbon steel can easily be recycled, which means it’s an eco-friendly choice.
• It’s less expensive than copper and many other popular options.
• Carbon steel pipe fittings and valves can be used in a number of industries, including shipbuilding, energy, and industrial construction.
• Carbon steel can be bent into just about any shape to accommodate various shapes and sizes of pipes.

We have a selection of all different kinds of valves and fittings on our site. Check them out, and find the right materials for your project!

When it comes to foundation solutions, driven pile is a champ in comparison to other deep foundation and shallow foundation options. It easily beats foundation options like pad foundations, earthbag foundations, rubble trench foundations, and screwpiles in terms of durability, support, and overall strength. Here are seven specific benefits of driven pile:

1. There are multiple types of driven pile to suit the unique needs of your project. Driven piles can be made of steel in the form of h-pile, tapered, shell, pipe, and sheet pile. They can be made of concrete in square, cylinder, or octagonal shapes. And they can be made of timber in various shapes and configurations.
2. Driven piles save you money. You don’t need any fancy, expensive equipment to get the job done, and with dynamic pile testing, you can easily forecast how much driven pile you need for specific jobs without some of the guesswork associated with other foundation options. This means you don’t end up having to invest in anything beyond basic pile driving equipment, and you don’t have to invest in any more materials than you need.
3. They’re ultra-durable. During installation, they retain their shape. And they don’t move when placed in soft soil or break under the pressure of heavy loads.
4. Hammers and other pile driving equipment ensure quality. When you’re driving pile, the hammer you’re using will most likely have a velocity measurement feature that will allow you to ensure quality and proper placement. Engineers have gotten pile driving down to an exact science, and that means the quality of your project will be high.
5. Driven piles often increase load capacity after installation. This is what engineers call “setup,” and it’s something that happens after your driven piles have been installed for a while. It improves the longevity of your foundation and helps prevent future repair costs.
6. They also work well for marine projects. The fact that driven piles do not require special casings or waiting times while concrete dries makes them perfect for offshore and near shore projects. They can be driven into the water or soft soil and used right away.
7. They’re eco-friendly too. Driven piles create little, if any, debris or waste. They also don’t require the use of any dangerous materials or substances. Once pile is driven, cleanup is easy, and the carbon footprint is negligible.

Need some pile driving equipment? Check out our options!  And, while you’re at it, be sure to take a look at our H-Pile too!

According to estimates, around 65,000 U.S. bridges are in dire need of repair. Many of these bridges are short span bridges. Short span bridge projects can end up being quite costly if DOTs aren’t careful, even though these projects are not as major as projects associated with larger bridges. Luckily, there are things state DOTs can do to save some money on short span bridge reconstruction and repair. Here are some solutions:

• Tackle projects in bulk. Rather than financing short span bridge projects separately, DOTs can cut costs and improve efficiency by financing and planning out multiple projects at the same time. This can help them lower equipment, material, and labor expenses.
• Consider using steel instead of concrete. Steel is cheaper than concrete, and using it doesn’t sacrifice the quality of the bridge. There’s even a handy online tool that helps you simplify the design of your short span steel bridges. Check it out here.
• Use public-private partnerships (P3s) to your advantage. Determine how you can cut costs with the help of private contractors. Find contractors with the most experience for the price you’re willing to pay. The right, savvy contractor can help you reduce expenses significantly.
• Consider skipping the bidding process. Already have a private contractor you know will get the job done well for the price you want? Many DOTs are cutting costs and saving time by skipping the “bid” step of the typical design-bid-build (D-B-B) process. Figure out if a design-build (D-B) process is feasible because it can save you some serious money, time, and effort.
• Purchase used equipment and materials. Why pay more for new equipment and materials when used ones will more than suffice? A lot of used equipment and materials will work just as well as new options for your short span bridge projects.

Looking for an innovative way to save on trestles and bridge spans? Check out our used selection!

In a previous article, we provided some information about the collapse of a span of the Eggners Ferry Bridge in Kentucky in 2012. Now we’re back to feature the project that replaced the whole structure of the Eggners Ferry Bridge, the Kentucky Lake Bridge Project. We spoke with Brandon Stidham, the Project Engineer, and Mike Brown, the Area Manager, of “Johnson Bros Corporation, a Southland Company,” to learn more about the impressive project. Stidham and Brown have been a part of the project since June 2014, when the job site was mobilized. Both have prior experience working on challenging, large scale heavy civil marine projects.The original contract value of the project is $131,501,214.28, and its project design team included: KYTC, Michael Baker International (EOR), Palmer Engineering, and Terracon. Some of the project’s vendors were Veritas Steel, Greens Bayou Pipe Mill, Skyline Steel, Federal Materials and Wirerope Works.A number of different pieces of heavy equipment made the reconstruction of the bridge possible. Due to the weight of the pier piling and hydraulic hammer, an IHC S800 from Holland, Johnson Bros utilized two Manitowoc 4100 Ringer cranes on barges with sponsons. A Manitowoc 2250 and Manitowoc 4100 which were also used for erecting the arch outside of the main channel and placing concrete via crane and bucket. Additionally, an International Construction Equipment’s (ICE) 200C, a very large quad clamp vibratory hammer was used to seat piles for stabilization prior to driving with the large hydraulic hammer. Based on the requirements in the contract, Johnson Bros was required to have a large tug with 1800 HP minimum throughout a majority of the construction to assist large river tows as they came through the tight navigable limits of the project.The means and methods that Johnson Bros chose for this project along with its complex design made it very innovative and unique. The steel pier piling were ordered full length, up to 199’ long and 72”x2” WT. The piling were very challenging to stand, secure, and drive, but it eliminated the time delays associated with splicing. Additionally, Johnson Bros chose to erect the 2600 ton 550’Lx94’Wx110’T basket handle tied arch (the main span) outside of the channel on 4 barges. Once erected, the structure was floated out into an offset location in the channel and lifted via 8 strand jacks from VSL. It was then maneuvered horizontally until centered over the bearings with air tuggers. Once on centerline, it was set down on the permanent bearings.The largest challenges on the project were handling the very large, heavy steel pipe pile for the piers, constructing the large main span footers with dimensions of 138’Lx42’Wx12’D (taking two separate placements of 18hrs and 29hrs to complete each), and erecting the massive arch on barges for a float in at a later date. Access was also a challenge throughout the project due to the new causeway being built up under a previous contract. The team had to get creative when mobilizing large items such as cranes, approach girders, and the arch span steel. Lastly, the project is located immediately adjacent to Land Between the Lakes in Trigg County, Kentucky. Due to the close proximity to the conservation area and rural surroundings, the team experienced many hurdles related to wildlife.Johnson Bros makes safety a top priority. With the complexity of the project and size of the materials handled, Johnson Bros was successful in constructing the entire bridge without any major incidents and injuries.According to Stidham and Brown, the project was very rewarding to be a part of, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was a great owner to work for. Johnson Bros built a relationship with the owner and strived to give them the very best product possible for motorists to enjoy for years to come.You can learn more about this outstanding project here! 

Engineered formwork is a type of mold that concrete is poured into to create walls, slabs, columns, and many other types of cement structures. Engineered formwork is a metal mold, typically made of steel or aluminum, gives contractors the option to create structures of many different shapes and sizes. It is a cost-effective alternative to traditional timber formwork; engineered formwork can be reused as many as 2,000 times if it’s properly maintained.Once the concrete has hardened and cured inside the molds, the formwork can be removed. The process is sometimes called stripping or shuttering.If you’re working on a project that requires a good deal of forming, you may be wondering how you can speed up the concrete formwork removal process. It’s a great idea to know approximately how long you should wait and under what conditions removal without damage is possible. It can help you better plan removal on a timeline that doesn’t slow your project down.The exact length of time formwork must remain in place will vary on every jobsite. Things like the type of cement, climate, admixtures, and size of the forms and structure will all have an impact on the finished product.

Mistakes to Avoid

There are many reasons concrete fails to set correctly, or ends up with cracks and structural issues. The good news is that it is preventable, you just need to be aware of the common mistakes made when pouring concrete.Here are a few:

• Not ordering enough concrete
• Using the wrong type of concrete or admixtures
• Pouring on an unprepped site
• Using the wrong water/cement ratio
• Not having finishing tools on hand, or leaving the site without finishing the freshly laid concrete
• Being impatient and removing formwork before the concrete is cured

General Rules of Thumb

The curing process requires monitoring and maintenance of moisture and temperature within the formwork. It is crucial that you leave the formwork in place as long as possible. The engineer should always be present during the removal process, and all state or local mandates should be followed.Generally, the American Concrete Institute recommends the following:

• ASTM C 150 Type I cement: 7 days
• ASTM C 150 Type II cement: 10 days
• ASTM C 150 Type III cement: 3 days
• ASTM C 150 Type IV or V cement: 14 days
• ASTM C 595, C 845, C 1157 cements: Varies

We can examine some guidelines for specific structures a little more closely. Always check with your site engineer to confirm the exact timeline your concrete forms require to cure properly. The following can be are general rules for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC):

• Walls and columns can be removed after about 24-48 hours
• Slabs, with their props left under them, can typically be removed after 3-4 days
• Soffits, with their props left under them, can be removed after one week
• Props supporting slabs under 15 feet can be removed after one week
• Props supporting slabs over 15 feet can be removed after two weeks
• Props to supporting beams and arches under 20 feet can be removed after two weeks
• Props to supporting beams and arches over 20 feet can be removed after three weeks

When using Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), the amount of time before formwork can be removed is 10/7 of the times above.Read about how to safely remove concrete formwork here.

Buy and Sell Used Concrete Formwork with Eiffel Trading

We have a large selection of used concrete formwork for sale. If you don’t see the type of concrete formwork you’re interested in, create a wanted listing for free and our dedicated team of experts will help you find it.In addition to used concrete formwork, Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace also boasts a wide variety used heavy civil materials, including but not limited to used steel sheet pile, used crane access trestle, used concrete barrier wall, and much more. Want to view all of our listings? Click here!Do you have concrete formwork ready to sell? Get started creating a listing for free today.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.Updated March 8, 2019.

Chances are, a large portion of the materials you’re dredging don’t need to be placed in Confined Disposal Facilities (CDFs). Once you’ve carefully disposed of the hazardous materials in CDFs, there are a number of different things you can do with what’s left. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, there are a few ways you can reuse dredged materials. Here are four options:1. Use materials as topsoil. Oftentimes, portions of the sediment you dredge can be mixed with things like bio-solids and compost to create topsoil. This is a great way to give back to the environment, and it also gives you the opportunity to make a profit if you choose to sell the topsoil.2. Donate materials to a beach. Beaches can use your dredged materials for expansion and to enhance their quality overall. This is particularly true if you end up dredging a good amount of sand. Beaches are often looking for more sand and would be happy to take it off your hands.3. Help create and enhance habitats.Some of your materials can be used to help re-introduce vegetation that’s natural to wetland and aquatic areas. This means it can be used to create new habitats for animals and enhance ones that have been damaged by the elements or by human activity.4. Help construct new areas of land.Ports and harbors may be able to use some of what you’ve dredged as fill material to construct new areas of land or expand on existing areas of land. Donating or selling your materials for this purpose is an excellent way to give back to the areas where you’re dredging.These are just some of the innovative ways you can reuse your dredging materials. Your materials can also be used for things like mineland reclamation and landfill capping. Be sure to explore all of your options!

Underground construction comes with a number of safety hazards for workers. If you’re in the process of creating or re-vamping your safety procedures for your underground construction teams, you may be wondering which safety measures you should prioritize. Here are five important safety strategies based on OSHA guidelines for you to consider:1. Make sure your employees are trained to notice hazards.OSHA recommends having one trained staff member on site at all times during tunneling projects to identify potential hazards. You can take it one step further and make sure all of your workers are trained to identify common hazards and deal with them appropriately.2. Stay in close contact with crews.OSHA requires that employers make themselves available to crews at all times in case safety issues arise. It’s also an excellent idea to regularly check in with your tunneling crews about how projects are going and how safe they feel on the job.3. Make your check-in/check-out procedures as efficient as possible.It’s critical to always keep records of head counts of any workers underground. Additionally, it’s essential to make sure at least one employee is above ground if any other employees are underground. Having a clear, efficient procedure in place for project managers to keep tabs on employees who are working in underground areas will help you ensure the protection of your workers.4. Regularly clear out rocks and other debris that may cause injuries.It’s best to have a staff member carefully inspect and remove loose rocks and debris from all underground areas and surrounding above-ground areas, per OSHA guidelines. Ground support structures should also be regularly inspected to make sure they do not need to be repaired or replaced.5. Get employees on board with fire prevention.Make sure your employees know where the fire extinguisher is and know where flammable chemicals and equipment are being stored at all times. Additionally, make sure they know smoking is prohibited in areas where flammable equipment and chemicals are stored.

Have some used barrier walls and MOT materials you don’t need anymore? Listing them for sale online is a great idea. Here are six reasons why:1. It’s good for your cash flow.If you aren’t using it any more, there’s no need to hold onto it, especially because you you’ll earn extra money from selling. Too many contractors hold onto equipment and materials they don’t need anymore, to the detriment of their cash flow.2. It requires minimal effort.Listing your equipment on a marketplace or with another online seller typically requires very little effort. You send over some images and a description of what you’re trying to sell, and the site you list on takes care of spreading the word and finding potential buyers.3. You have multiple options.We think a marketplace for contractors is your best bet in terms of overall value, but there are multiple places you can list your goods online to reach potential buyers. Just make sure you look for options that don’t charge you a listing fee or take a large commission. These options cut into your profit quite a bit.4. You have options that allow you to keep your selling rights.As mentioned, there are quite a few places online where you can sell your used barrier walls and MOT signs, and, luckily, some of those places don’t require you to hand over your selling rights, so you’re free to advertise your materials wherever you like.5. You can decide the price.You don’t have to let an auctioneer or seller pick the price for you. There are online channels that allow you to name your price and get market value for your materials.6. All you have to handle is shipping.If you choose to list on a marketplace that takes care of all of the communication with potential customers for you, all you have to do is take care of the shipping once you receive payment for your materials.Ready to list your used barrier walls or MOT materials? Get started here!

According to estimates, around 28,000 people who work in concrete manufacturing are injured each year. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your employees avoid hazards when working with concrete. Here are five concrete safety strategies, based on recommendations from OSHA:1. Minimize dust exposure.Consider providing your employees with masks or respirators to help them avoid dust exposure when they’re mixing concrete. Additionally, advise them to rinse their eyes out thoroughly if exposed to an excessive amount of dust, and encourage them to consume food and beverages at a safe distance from where concrete is being mixed.2. Provide alkali-resistant gloves.This is especially crucial if your employees are working with concrete that contains hexavalent chromium, which can burn their skin. It’s also a good idea to encourage your employees to thoroughly wash any skin that comes into contact with concrete using cold water.3. Make machine maintenance a priority.Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for scheduled maintenance. Make any necessary repairs promptly, and carefully clear conveyor belt jams and attend to other issues. It’s also essential to ensure that any and all necessary guards are in place before employees use machinery.4. Avoid heavy lifting if possible.There’s no need for employees to strain their backs if they don’t have to. Encourage them to use machines to handle lifting of heavy loads. Additionally, make sure ground areas are cleared and cleaned to help your employees prevent tripping if they do have to carry concrete.5. Promote caution in confined spaces.To clean truck mixer drums, your employees will need to enter into confined spaces. Make sure they know to wear their hard hats, gloves, and other protective gear when they do this. Additionally, make sure they know to leave confined spaces if they feel themselves overheating. 

Did you know that HDPE piling you’re not using anymore could be making you money? There’s no need to get rid of it without exploring options to see how you can profit from it. Unfortunately, there aren’t a plethora of options for selling your HDPE piling and marine piling, but the options you do have, particularly the options available to you online, are definitely worth checking out. Here are some general tips for selling your used HDPE piling:

• Explore online options. If you want to sell your used piling, doing so online is a great idea because of its convenience factor. Another option for selling is through a print classified ad. You’ll reach more potential buyers if you list your piling on a website, though.
• Don’t give up your selling rights. Some sites that sell marine piling ask that you turn over the rights to your materials. You don’t have to do this, and not giving up your selling rights means you can advertise your used piling multiple places online if you so choose.
• Pick your price. Avoid listing on a site that picks the price for you. You have options that will allow you to name the price.
• Don’t pay to advertise. Some sites and classified sections ask that you pay a fee upfront to advertise your materials. Paying an upfront free isn’t necessary, though, and we recommend looking into free options.
• Read the fine print. Before you advertise your materials anywhere, make sure your read any applicable terms and conditions. Pay special attention to fine print regarding commission. You’ll likely have to pay a commission once a sale goes through most places you list your used HDPE piling, but make sure you won’t be handing over an exorbitant amount of your profit.

If you’re still looking into ways to get rid of your used HDPE piling, we encourage you to learn more about how Eiffel Trading Company works! We don’t charge our sellers a commission or a fee to list with us.