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NJDOT sets the stage

One of the first types of engineered concrete barrier wall was designed back in the 1950’s by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, which became known as Jersey barrier. The Jersey barrier is a reinforced concrete barrier designed to not only prevent head-on collisions, but minimize vehicle damage in case of incidental contact. The Jersey barrier was initially cast-in-place and part of the permanent construction. In addition to permanent barrier walls, concrete barrier wall is used on highway projects as temporary traffic dividers that are removed once construction is complete.

Departments of transportation throughout North America have adopted their own rules and guidelines on concrete barrier wall for permanent and temporary installation. Here are the most common types of concrete barrier wall and their characteristics:

Jersey barrier - "The Godfather"

The Jersey barrier is the most common type of concrete barrier. The standard height for a Jersey barrier is 32”. The design calls for a 3” vertical rise from the pavement, then 10” rise at a 55 degree angle, followed by an 84 degree angle for the remainder of the barrier. You will also see certain DOT’s with a 42” tall Jersey barrier design maintaining the same slope angles.

K-Rail

K-Rail concrete barrier is what the western states, namely California, call a Jersey barrier. Why? We have no idea - let us know if you do.

But we did find this cool video of CalTrans testing "zippers" on Interstate 15:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hMkLcAstxgA

Ontario Tall Wall

The Ontario Tall Wall was designed by the Department of Highway in Ontario, Canada. It is very similar to Jersey barrier – however, it stands at 42” tall, which is 10” taller than the typical Jersey barrier. The slope angles are the same as Jersey barrier.

Single Slope and Constant Slope Barrier

The single slope barrier was developed in California and is very similar to the constant slope barrier developed in Texas. The slope angle of the single slope barrier in is 9.1 degrees with respect to vertical and the constant slope is 10.8 degrees with respect to vertical. The top of the single slope is 10.5” thick and the constant slope is 8” thick. One of the main advantages of using these types of barriers in a permanent application is the performance of the barrier isn’t affected during roadway repaving. Both single slope and constant slope barrier come in 32” and 42” heights. Because we're based in Houston, we obviously prefer the constant slope barrier.

F-Shape

The F-Shape barrier is a modification of the Jersey barrier. The F-Shape has the same slopes as the Jersey barrier, but the slope break point is 3” lower. The lower slope break point helps reduce the vehicle lift, which provides for a higher performing barrier. In addition to the varying slope break point, the top of the F-Shape is 9” thick, which is 3” thicker than a Jersey barrier.

What's it all mean?

As you can see, there are many different factors when it comes to barrier wall. Over the past several years, many municipalities have started to specify F-Shape over Jersey barrier. As our transportation methods evolve, so will the barrier systems that keep us safe.

We keep a large stock of all types of used and surplus barrier wall from all over North America - check it out today.

The story: An amazing bridge - designed and built by amazing companies

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is a company comprised of Fluor Enterprises, Inc., American Bridge Company, Granite Construction Northeast, Inc., and Traylor Bros., Inc. - widely recognized within the industry as some of the world's most ethical companies. Combining their local, national, and international experience, Tappan Zee Constructors received the contract to design and build the New NY Bridge in 2013, at a construction cost of approximately $3.98 billion.

The 3.1-mile twin span cable-stayed bridge with angled main span towers is the single largest bridge construction project in New York's history - revitalizing the Tappan Zee Toll Bridge that connects Rockland County to Westchester County over the Hudson River. Featuring 8 traffic lanes, wide shoulders, dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and a strict environmental performance commitment, the new bridge is an iconic bridge in America and one of the widest cable-stayed structures of its kind in the world.

The challenge: Liquidating construction projects is a tough job - and demobilization costs add up

TZC was struggling to liquidate their used material from this project. Additionally, TZC was using personnel to manage the liquidation - taking them away from the main purpose of the project.

TZC had approximately 860,000 lbs. of AZ19-700 sheet pile - and they had to incur de-mobilization costs to truck it to their storage yard - which typically range from $20,000 to $40,000.

Additionally, TZC had 1,420 linear feet of used access trestle designed for a 330 ton crane, which, unable to find a buyer, remained installed on the project.

The solution: Our used and surplus online marketplace connects heavy civil contractors to save buyers and sellers time and money

Eiffel Trading is an online marketplace used by heavy civil contractors to help them quickly liquidate used and surplus equipment and material. Our users list their inventory for free, and our marketplace platform gets to work finding buyers - fast. Oftentimes, using our Wanted feature, potential buyers tell us what they need for their project - such as sheet pile, wide flange beams, barges, trestle, foundation equipment, and more.

Result #1: Immediately found inventory for an Eiffel Trading customer

When a user on Eiffel Trading's marketplace needed approximately 860,000 lbs. of AZ19-700 sheet pile, we were able to connect that user with TZC - which resulted in an immediate transaction.

Result #2: Saved the buyer over $200,000 on their used sheet pile

Compared against listing their sheet pile with a broker, we were able to increase the salvage value by 10%, and we saved the buyer over $200,000 on their used sheet pile!

Result #3: Found a qualified buyer and saved customer $$$$$$ on demobilization costs

Due to the success of that transaction, TZC consulted Eiffel Trading to use our powerful marketplace to find a buyer for 1,420 linear feet of used access trestle designed for a 330 ton crane. We helped them set up the listing, and within a few months, we found a buyer - and they didn't have to incur any demobilization expenses. Additionally, thanks to Eiffel Trading's dedication to superior customer service, we assisted with freight quotes, negotiations, and inspection.

The bottomline: Our online marketplace will save your company time, money and resources

Our online marketplace for selling used equipment and material helped Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC find buyers for their sheet pile and trestle system. In fact, using our marketplace, TZC received an offer on both their sheet pile and trestle system within a few months! Their goal of saving money on costs is now a reality. Additionally, by selling this used material to another contractor and not scrapping it, they kept with their environmental commitment. As a result they can continue using Eiffel Trading while focusing on what they do best - building America.

It’s important to Eiffel Trading that you are highly successful in our marketplace, so we put together some helpful pointers to help you excel as a seller. Our most successful sellers of barrier wall, crane mats, h-pile, pipe, sheet pile, shoring towers, trestle, and wide flange beams have three characteristics in common : market price, photo quality and item specifics. Read below to learn how to leverage these aspects to grow your bottom line.

Price:

The first step in determining price is to look on our marketplace for comparable material. Remember that when a buyer is searching for used and surplus material they will be seeing your listing in comparison to other listings so we suggest calculating a comparable material average.

What determines comparable material:

• Make sure you are looking at listings in similar material condition (ie. with similar flaws and defects)
• The amount of material is important when determining comparables. Ensure you are looking at listings with approximately 80% of quantity

It’s important to keep in mind that selling used and surplus material, in general will increase your project's bottom-line, so don’t be afraid to list your item at an unbeatable price to ensure a timely sell.

Need help? Our experienced team is waiting to help determine a fair price. Just contact us at 1-800-541-7998 or visit our website to chat with a team member today.

Photos:

In the e-commerce industry, listings with better photo quality are more likely to sell. Quality pictures give you a professional and trustworthy reputation which leads to increased buyer confidence. You don’t have to be a photographer to excel. We suggest setting your camera’s default to High or Medium photo quality so your photos exceed minimum pixel requirement. If you are taking a photo on your phone make sure the screen is in focus to prevent blurry photos, and take photos with and without flash. In regards to quantity, more is more. Take photos from all angles and get close-ups, especially if there are flaws. See below for our material photo checklist.

Item Specifics:

When you create your listing, we highly suggest filling out the form in its entirety. . We have strategically set up the form to answer questions we get most frequently from our buyers. Our buyers know that used material might have defects so it’s important to describe details of flaws such as scratches and/or dings. If there is more information that you would like to provide that is not on the form, please add it in the description box. Specifying the item’s condition accurately helps ensure that your items are more quickly found by the appropriate buyer/buyers.

Throughout this process be sure to put yourself in the place of the buyer - the ability to understand a buyer’s decision is essential to growing your success on our marketplace. As with everything else, Eiffel Trading aims to make the selling experience easy for you. Let us help you through every selling step. Contact us today at 1-800-541-7998 or by chatting with one of our team members by visiting our website.

You use it on a daily basis with or without actually realizing it - the rails you hold onto when walking up the stairs, the train carts you ride on to and from work, the knife you slice butter with. Steel is all around us, and yet most people know only so little about the material. Here are five things that you never knew about steel, one of the most important catalysts of the industrial era.

<h3>1. Steel is 100 Percent Iron</h3>

Despite being a basic fact, there are still many people who believe that steel is a raw material in itself. It seems only right to clarify this common misconception by stating that all steel is made from iron. Every sheet of steel used to manufacture cars and trucks and every beam used to erect buildings is made of iron. In fact, the truth of the matter is, 90 percent of all refined metals used today consist of iron.

<h3>2. Majority of Steel is Recycled</h3>

The recycling efforts for steel is one that inspires complete awe. You'll be surprised to know that refined steel like Angle Iron has been done since the 18th century. Most steel-based items circulating in the market today consist of 25 to 100 percent recycled steel. Every year, over 75 million tons of steel are recycled in North America alone. And for every ton of recycled steel, thousands of pounds of raw materials including iron ore, coal, and limestone are conserved.

<h3>3. Steel Recycling is Cheaper Than You Think</h3>

Recycling certain materials are widely debated because of the cost-value they produce, but not for steel. Compared to plastic products, steel recycling is a more cost-effective way to keep up with consumer demand without necessarily flooding the market and endangering the ecosystem. In addition, recycling steel is also cheaper than it is to mine for raw materials that make up steel. Mining of steel only continues today to supplement the existing supply the world already has.

<h3>4. Steel is Used in a Wide Array of Products</h3>

Steel not only comprises beams that hold up houses and commercial buildings. It can also be found in the cans of food you stock in your kitchen cupboard, the internal and external frames that make up your car, and the fridge doors you open and close quietly while sneaking in food at night. In North America alone, there are around 1,500 cans of food brands lined up in aisles.

<h3>5. Steel is Freakishly Durable</h3>

Steel components and structures including decks, stairs, and rails that are properly designed and manufactured can offer long-term durability. Depending on how the steel sheets are fabricated and treated, it can withstand a variety of extreme temperatures and pressures. In fact, steel frames in real estate have been tested and proven to endure over 1,000 degrees Celsius of heat. Furthermore, full-magnitude earthquake simulations reveal that steel can maintain its structural integrity during such environmental cataclysms.

The more you know about the materials that make up this world, the better you'll be able to understand and use it to advance as a person and professional.

This is an Industry Insider post by Jessica Kane. Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading supplier of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipe, tube, fittings and flanges. 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.

<p>Check out our inventory of steel plate today and contact us with any questions.</p>

Wondering what the essentials of vibratory hammer maintenance are? Try out these five tips to help you get more pile driving mileage out of your vibratory hammer:

<h4>1. Inspect clamp jaws.</h4>

The teeth clamp jaws use to hold pile can easily become rusted, corroded, or worn down. Make sure you regularly check the condition of your clamp jaw’s teeth, and consider repairing or replacing parts of your clamp jaw as necessary. It’s also a good idea to inspect the pile you’re using to make sure it is not rusted or corroded. Using corroded or rusted pile can damage your vibratory hammer’s clamp jaw.

<h4>2. Check hoses.</h4>

Before each use, it’s a good idea to double-check your vibratory hammer’s hoses for wear and tear. Keep in mind that it’s common for a vibratory hammer’s hoses to leak, and you will probably have to replace hoses (preferably with high pressure hoses) after extended use. You should also regularly inspect hose connections to make sure they are properly attached to your vibratory hammer’s power pack. Improperly connected hoses result in poor oil flow.

<h4>3. Flip your hammer over to the other side after use.</h4>

This is a simple maintenance trick that will do your vibratory hammer good. If you are consistently flipping your hammer over on one side horizontally after use, consider switching it up and flipping it on its other side periodically. This will help oil reach all of the parts of the machine and help you keep your hammer properly lubricated without much extra effort.

<h4>4. Pay attention to the power pack.</h4>

Try to open the doors of your vibratory hammer’s power pack often to make sure nothing is malfunctioning and no oil is leaking. Part of taking care of the power pack also includes giving it a few minutes to warm up before you start using your vibratory hammer and letting it run on low for a few minutes once you’re done using your hammer.

If your vibratory hammer is on its last leg and you’re ready to swap it out, make sure you check out our vibratory hammer options!

There are many different types of structural steel pipe, and some are much better than others for particular applications. Below are the top six types and which jobs they’re best-suited for:

1. Spiral Steel Pipe - This type of pipe is ideal for piling, trenches, and road casing. It’s relatively inexpensive, durable, and strong.
2. ERW Pipe – This is your go-to pipe if you’re looking for top-notch line pipe. It’s usually used by oil and energy companies. It is also used for things like tunnel construction and dock construction.
3. Fence Pipe – The name of this pipe says it all. It’s typically great for building extra strong and durable fences. It’s great for enclosing parking lots and parks.
4. Seamless Steel Pipe – This type of pipe works best for things like pipe piling, caissons, and dock piling.
5. DSAW Carbon Steel Pipe - This is the highest quality option for applications like road boring, road casing, and culverts. It comes in a variety of different grades, and it is welded in a way that makes it extra strong.
6. Culvert Pipe – If you don’t want to take the plunge and pay extra for DSAW Carbon Steel Pipe, culvert pipe is an affordable (yet less durable option) for some of the same applications. It is also one of the most commonly used pipes for irrigation projects, drainage systems, temporary bridges, and sewer systems.

Eiffel Trading has tons of pipe for sale on our marketplace. Take a look at what we have to offer and find the right pipe for your project!

If you’re comparing possible trench backfilling options, there are a few different methods that might be a good fit for your project. Below are some of the most common methods and some information about their usefulness for trenching projects:

<h3>Compacting</h3>

Compacting typically involves using the existing soil and organic materials in a trench and applying a jumping jack, compactor, or excavator to produce a coarse, wet material or slightly saturated, fine material that is level and used to secure pavement over a trench. This is one of the most common and effective methods.

<h3>Filling</h3>

This involves backfilling a trench with flowable fill, which is a cement mix, using a cement truck that’s brought directly to the site. This method generally works well but can cause issues if the flowable fill covers any pipe too snugly. It’s best to cover pipe with protective material before filling. Additionally, it’s best to block off sections of the trench if the fill needs to be applied in multiple batches. Otherwise, it will spread to other areas and won’t be as level.

<h3>Jetting</h3>

This method involves filling the trench with a material that isn’t compacted. The contractor then comes back to the trench later in the project and applies pressurized water to the trench. Unfortunately, after several years, the pavement over the trench often dips or is compromised when this method is used. It’s not the best method for the long-term.

<h3>Dumping</h3>

This is one of the more recently developed methods of backfilling. It involves backfilling a trench with open-graded coarse aggregate materials instead of compacting. This method has not been as time-tested as others and poses risks including soil that migrates in holes in the aggregate materials. This method is best used with caution.

While we’re on the subject of trenching, have you taken a look at our trench boxes?

Eiffel Trading Company is an innovative way to sell your secondary equipment and materials. We pride ourselves on being different from the competition. Here are some things that set us apart from the pack:

1. We don’t charge a fee to list with us.<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Many other sites that help you sell your equipment and materials do. It is 100% free for you to list your secondary equipment and materials. Our commission is included in the asking price, and we collect that from the buyer.</span>

2. We don’t think auctions provide the most value to sellers. <span style="line-height: 1.5;">That’s part of why we created Eiffel Trading, to provide you with an alternative to auctions- an alternative where you don’t risk the chance of getting paid below market value for your secondary equipment and materials.</span>

3. We don’t take away your selling rights. <span style="line-height: 1.5;">You’re free to advertise your secondary equipment and materials anywhere else. Just let us know if something gets sold elsewhere.</span>

4. We simplify things by being a centralized marketplace. <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Got a crane, an excavator, and sheet pile you need to sell? There’s no need to go to multiple different sites that sell each specific type of equipment. You can list all of your secondary equipment and materials on our site and save yourself valuable time and effort.</span>

5. We answer potential buyers’ questions for you. <span style="line-height: 1.5;">We know that you’re busy, so we try to handle all of the extra work for you. You don’t have to communicate with a buyer until the deal is ready to move forward.</span>

6. We don’t do the pricing for you. <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Some of the other major options for selling your equipment and materials pick the price for you. They pick prices to speed up the selling process. Eiffel Trading lets you choose your own prices, which means more profits for you once we find the right buyers using our targeted marketing system.</span>

If you’ve finished a project and have used concrete formwork sitting in the yard or in storage, you have a few different options for getting rid of it and making money in the process. One option is to sell the formwork through a traditional broker. This can be a somewhat slow process. You send pictures and information to the broker, and then they advertise your equipment after approving and modifying what you’ve sent. Another option is to list your formwork on an auction site. This can also be a relatively fast way to get rid of it, but it’s not the most profitable. Many online auctions are unreserved, which means you don’t get to name the price, and the buyer could walk away with your formwork for much less than you expected.

Another viable alternative is listing your formwork on a site dedicated to finding formwork buyers in the construction industry. Here are four of the benefits of choosing this option:

<h3>1. You’ll likely make a higher profit from the sale.</h3>

You get to choose the price of your formwork. You don’t have to agree to whatever the broker recommends you price it at, and you don’t have to accept whatever the highest bidder offers. This means you could end up with a higher profit.

<h3>2. All you have to do is list your formwork and leave the work to someone else.</h3>

You just have to upload some images and a description, and your formwork will be on display to all of the site’s users. It’s quick and easy, and you don’t have to spend waiting for the broker to start advertising your equipment. You also don’t have to spend time watching an auction to see what bidders are offering.

<h3>3. Your formwork will go to someone who really needs it.</h3>

It won’t go to someone who’s just looking to get a good deal at an auction. It’ll go to someone who was searching for a specific type of formwork and found that yours fit their needs. You’ll be fulfilling a need in the industry, and your formwork will be put to good use. If sustainability is important to your organization, this can be a major benefit.

Trying to figure out what to do with your used concrete formwork? List with us!

Buying a work boat from an online marketplace like Eiffel Trading can save you time, money, and effort. We’re proud of each of the boats we feature on our site and wanted to share a few of our work boat deals with you:

<h2>2011 Custom Aluminum Work Boat</h2>

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8456" src="http://www.eiffeltradingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2011-aluminum-workboat.jpg" alt="custom aluminum work boat for sale" width="1024" height="576" />

This custom aluminum work boat is ready to hit the open water. It’s a 22’ LOA x 8’ beam flat bottom work boat. Powered by a 2011 Honda motor (model BF150a) that produces up to 150 hp, this boat won’t fail to deliver the power you need. Other perks include hydraulic steering, a 25-gallon gas tank, a Garmin Plotter, VHF Radio, and a complimentary 2011 Venture trailer.

Price: $40,950

<h2>2004 17 FT AirRanger Air Boat</h2>

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8457" src="http://www.eiffeltradingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Air-Ranger-Air-Boat.jpeg" alt="airranger air boat for sale" width="1024" height="768" />

This versatile air boat can be used for a variety of purposes: farming, hunting, fishing, law enforcement, pipeline work, and aquatic weed maintenance work. Like all AirRanger boats, it’s built with care and attention to performance. It includes a durable, custom-made aluminum trailer and a reliable, peppy Chevy engine.

Price: $26,250

<h2>1978 Roamer Aluminum Work Boat</h2>

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8458" src="http://www.eiffeltradingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1978-roamer-work-boat.jpg" alt="Roamer Aluminum Work Boat for sale" width="480" height="640" />

Need some extra power from your work boat? Consider this 1978 Roamer! It comes with twin gas 427 ford engines that produce up to 500 hp. Its dimensions are 41x15. Some of its other advantages include Paragon reduction gears, radar, VHF, and push knees. Plus, this work boat has been documented with the coast guard.

Price: $40,950

These boats are going to sell quickly, so be sure to double-check their availability on our site, and be sure to explore all of your work boat options from Eiffel Trading!

Do you have a work boat you’re looking to sell? Consider listing it with us!