Collins Earthworks Pipehill Project

The on-board computer uses this position information, and compares it to the design elevation to compute cut or fill to grade. The cut/fill data is also used to drive the valves for automatic blade control to obtain the tightest of tolerances. The on-site engineering team did not have to erect a single profile as would have been carried out on traditional highway projects to sculpture the banks, batters, ponds and formation levels of the road.

Our sister company, Enviro Trac, then modified the top 300mm of the road formation surface using a Claas Xerion and integrated stabilising mixer. The material was bound with OPC cement, to create a hard compacted surface in lieu of a traditional capping material. This cost effective solution mitigated the importation of non-renewable aggregates, normally delivered by road, thus supporting our green credentials.

Once completed, bitumen emulsion was sprayed over the formation to promote curing. Following this process, 175 mm of quarried Type 1 GSB was laid and compacted using the 3D dozers to the same tolerances ready to receive the upper bituminous construction layers. Topsoil from the temporary stockpiles was blended and then returned to the soft landscaping areas and graded ready for the cultivation and planting of shrubs, wild grasses and heathers.

Collins Earthwork completed their part of the project at the end of April, within the allowable contract budget, and ahead of schedule.

Our contract was to carry out the site clearance, bulk earthworks, ground improvement and the supply of imported GSB, for the construction of 1.2km of carriageway and island for Staffordshire County Council.

17000m3 of topsoil was stripped off the existing agricultural land and carted to temporary stockpiles followed by the excavation and disposal of 33000m3 of subsoil. Our engineering department created a 3D electronic model from data supplied by Staffordshire’s Highways design office. This was converted into a software format used by the machine control systems installed on our Caterpillar dozers. The Trimble GCS900 is a full 3D control system that puts the site plan - design surfaces, grades and alignments - inside the cab.