Engineered for success

Designers and contracting companies are continually seeking and evaluating innovative technologies from around the world to raise the standards of quality and safety on New Zealand roads.

Rob Whitfield of civil engineering and infrastructure construction company Fulton Hogan, says their commitment to research and development ensured the timely introduction of new engineering and construction techniques for the Sylvia Park bridging project.

As the piling for the bridge abutments involved drilling to the underlying basalt strata, tools capable of dealing with this challenge were developed by the Fulton Hogan Plant Department.

"The coring tools used for creating the rock sockets employed the latest European technology in rock drilling, not previously used in New Zealand," Whitfield says.

The tools are capable of drilling piles up to 2.3m in diameter and to depths of up to 50m. Fulton Hogan was therefore able to provide their client with a cost efficient engineering solution.

Sylvia Park bridge demonstrates bored piling capabilities. Driven piling in steel, precast and timber, and sheet-piling are also available.

For details, contact Fulton Hogan, Reliable Way, Mt Wellington, Auckland, ph (09) 580 4644, fax (09) 579 2599. Email: rob.whitfield@fh.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas