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With the help of precision 21-century technology, archaeologists are mapping a dozen tunnels that were carved by Roman engineers into the mountains east of Rome in order to supply the ancient city with water Some 2,000 years after they were hacked out of solid rock by Roman engineers, the aqueducts that brought fresh water to ancient Rome are being explored anew with 21st-century technology. Archaeologists with specialist caving, abseiling and potholing experience are using lasers, remote-controlled robots and 3D scanners to map the dozen aqueducts that were built over centuries. They are working from maps drawn up by Thomas Ashby, a British topographer and archaeologist who explored the hidden tunnels before and after the First World War. Almost a century later, the new breed of explorers …

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A new Ruggedsied tablet, the WinPad IO – 10″ IP65 Ruggedized Windows Tablet  for external use, now with 500 nit screen rating and Pixel Qi versions. This fully loaded tablet is highly ruggedized without being over-sized or too heavy. Complete with every connectivity and data capture option available the WinPad® IO has it all. There is now a new model with N2600 CPU and 500 nits screen if you just want a brighter screen and also a Pixel Qi  version, see below for more details. The amazing WinPad® IO encapsulates the new energy efficient OakTrail CPU  platform in a highly ruggedized IP65 and MIL810G proof housing at only 1.6kg.  Combining a sunlight readable display and dual hot-swappable batteries this rugged tablet offers the choice of all wireless radios: WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5G …

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Highways The Highways Agency has formally begun the process of putting together a slate of up to 28 partner companies for its new Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF). The new framework will be responsible for up to £5bn-worth of highways work over the next six years, although there is no guarantee of a minimum amount of work to any firm on the panel. The framework is divided into four sections: engineering design, and small, medium and large construction projects. The CDF will run for an initial four years with an option to extend for a further two years. A supplier day briefing presentation was held on 24 September and the contract notice inviting applications is published in the EU Official Journal today. The CDF’s four lots are: Lot…

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It goes without saying that if you’re part of the construction sector, you’re probably aware of the dangers of Asbestos. It is an insulating material that was used prolifically in a variety of buildings during the 1950s, and is now largely unused as a result of the severe health problems it can cause. More and more workers are seeking legal advice so that they can gain some amount of compensation for their illnesses. The majority of claims come from workers who have inhaled fibres whilst working in factories and other buildings. The symptoms of asbestos exposure can take anywhere between ten and 50 years to surface, meaning a lot of cases go undetected. There is also a danger when these old buildings are demolished and the asbestos dust …

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Consulting engineer WS Atkins has secured a new £200m five-year revolving credit facility. The new arrangement replaces the firm’s existing £150m revolving credit facility and £30m bilateral facility. Finance director Heath Drewett said the longer term facility provided Atkins with financing to support its strategy.

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By Alex Green, CEO of HANDS HQ, an online tool for creating construction risk assessments and method statements in minutes. Readers of UK Construction Blog can use the code UKCONSTRUCTION for a free month trial. Looking at data alone, you’d think that construction is becoming a safer industry every year. HSE statistics show that the rate of fatal injury has more than halved over the last 20 years, and employers have unprecedented online resources to help manage health and safety. But the risks to workers’ health and wellbeing aren’t going away as quickly. UK construction workers remain nearly four times more likely to be killed at work than the average worker, while an estimated 70,000 builders are suffering from ill health as a result of their work. Falls from …

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SOON TO BE RELEASED! SiteMaster BIM 2013 makes the creation of 3D building models from surveys incredibly simple, even to the point of the Disto usurping the role of the mouse As we draw near to the Government’s strategy to require BIM across all public sector construction projects by 2016, architects and surveyors might like to know that BIM implementation on a site development project can even start before the design stage, using an efficient and cost effective 3D surveying solution -i.e. BIM on existing buildings and not just new build. SiteMaster BIM 2013 from Graebert iSurvey & Mobile CAD Surveying provides users with the ability to create fully object orientated 3D models using only a handheld laser distance meter. Furthermore, the 3D models and 2D representations can…

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The Russian government is seeking to slash up to US$389 million from the construction budget for 2018 FIFA World Cup stadia by dropping plans to develop commercial zones around the facilities, according to the R-Sport news agency. A spending limit of $442 million had been set for each of the seven new stadia for the World Cup, but new plans from the Ministry of Economic Development outline a reduction to $386 million per venue. After announcing the plans, Audit Chamber official Vladimir Katrenko criticised them for being short-sighted, insisting trading zones for food outlets, parks and shopping centres play a crucial role in the long-term legacy of a stadium. R-Sport said the initiative, which is not yet approved, looks set to apply to the 45,000-…

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LONDON–Support services company Carillion PLC   said Monday that it is part of the consortium selected by Manchester Airports Group to build the 800 million pound ($1.28 billion) Airport City development at Manchester Airport. Carillion said it will invest up to GBP12 million in the project, which is expected to take 15 years to complete. The consortium also comprises the Chinese building company Beijing Construction Engineering Group and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

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These days, some of the most modern construction projects utilising the latest, high-tech materials, are also using a centuries old method in the design of their roofs. Living roofs, sometimes referred to as green roofs, were used as far back as the 11th century, in traditional Viking dwellings. These days, the feature can be found in the most innovative building projects, including Manhattan’s most famous landmark, the Empire State Building. The benefits of the technique are numerous. A study conducted by the University of Toronto was the first of its kind to suggest that green roofs dramatically reduce the energy it takes to keep a building warm during winter. You can find more details from this study, here. The vegetation on the roof acts as a…

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