Roller Compacting Concrete continues to impress
Since the first trials of the roller compacting concrete (RCC) durable and fast construction solution for heavy duty pavements were undertaken in New Zealand in 2020, the partnership between Firth and Rolco New Zealand has continued to develop with Firth’s investment into and support of this revolutionary and sustainable paving method in the New Zealand market.
What is RCC?
Due to a lower water content and higher cement ratio the RCC mix is very dry compared to standard concrete. Firth has invested in two mobile Pugmills which are particularly suited to the RCC paving solution. This production method means the very dry concrete mix is continuously mixed in the Pugmill and is then tipped into tipper trucks for quick and easy dispersal. This quick dispersal method suits the very large pavement areas that RCC is particularly suited to.
22,000 square metres of RCC - completes hardstand for Ports of Marlborough
The first large scale project undertaken using RCC was in 2020 for the Ports of Marlborough forestry hardstand in Shakespeare Bay in Picton, where 14,500m2 of roller compacted concrete was laid.
“In August / September last year planning began for stages three and four to complete the forestry hardstand log storage area at Shakespeare Bay in Picton with Rolco,” says Carl Trollip, Blenheim Plant Manager for Firth. “Our new pugmill was installed and we started trials in October.”
Knowing what to expect this time around Carl says that Gill Construction - whose tipper trucks were used to deliver the specialist mix from Blenheim to the site in Picton - applied for H plates for their vehicles, which allows the trucks to carry loads of 30, instead of 28 tonne per load.
“Over 36 days of production between November and February, our Firth Blenheim team produced 5,800m3 of concrete mix which was delivered in 480 truck loads, which was laid by the Rolco team and covered a massive 22,000m2.”
“On our production days we produced up to 160m3 in a day,” adds Carl. “Planning and coordination were the key for us to make this happen for Willem and the project and I am very proud of my small team of five who made it happen.”
“Stages three and four went really well,” says Willem de Bod, Managing Director for Rolco. “It was a nice easy project. In saying that we do have the system down pat now. Carl and Nick from Firth know what we need and I can say that we all worked together like a well-oiled machine. 22,000m2 laid … and the team from Ports of Marlborough are very happy with the result.”
Do you have a large area more than 10,000m2 or 3,000m3 that requires paving? RCC is quick to lay, cost effective and a very durable heavy duty pavement system. Speak to Firth today about Roller Compacted Concrete.
Ph: 0800Firth1 or email: info@firth.co.nz.
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