Producing Blast-Resistant Concrete

If you travel to Normandy in France, you'll still see the remains of the German bunkers used in the failed attempt to hold the beaches during D-Day. On another note, the bunker deep inside the Cheyenne Mountains is designed to withstand a nuclear blast equivalent to 1,875 Hiroshima bombs. What makes both structures tough enough to withstand the test of time?

Part of the secret lies in the quality of the concrete used. This simple mixture of cement, water, rocks, sand, and air creates a composite material known to be not only long-lasting but tough. Provided that the right mix is achieved, buildings can benefit from the strength and endurance of this material, which has been around since Roman times.

To avoid miscalculating concrete mixes, contractors normally set up concrete batch plants on site. These massive mixing systems provide cement trucks with the right concrete mix for various applications. As there's no universally accepted recipe, the task of achieving the right mix still falls upon the operator. The system will, however, take into account calculations like the water/cement ratio.

The mixture is then loaded onto a cement truck at the distribution station. Thereafter, the truck will keep the mix fluid until it reaches the site, where it will be casted onto the framework.

Land-Based Drilling Still Dominant

The Gulf Coast accounts for a tenth of total U.S. oil production. However, America's status as a major oil producer can also be attributed to its land basins.

The largest concentration of oil and gas fields can be found in three major areas. The first one, the Appalachian basin, stretches from the southern coasts of Lakes Erie and Ontario all the way to the southern edge of Kentucky. The other two areas can be found within Texas, with one stretching from the Mexico-U.S. border to the tip of Alabama.

The immense activity in these fields is fueled by the simplicity of land-based drilling. The rigs used at these sites are smaller than most oil rigs, but they're easy to set up and operate. Such a rig may be no larger than a house, helping prospectors save on construction and maintenance costs. In addition, looking for oil on land doesn't require a system as complex as a drillship.

That said, a simple land-based rig is complex in its own right. After all, this system consists of various parts and equipment working together to establish new wells in response to increasing demand for fossil fuel. For instance, the drawworks controls the depth of the drill bit and pulls it out when the drilling rig hits jackpot.

Safety Reminders When Squeezing Cement

There are many reasons why squeezing cement may be necessary. Although the reasons are different, the safety protocols remain the same. Regardless of where you are in your career as a workover rig worker, a refresher course on safety is a good thing. With that in mind, here are a few safety reminders to remember when working:

Pressure Buildup

When squeezing cement, the primary concern is the immense pressure the process generates, as the added pressure could ruin equipment. Ideally, one person should be dedicated to monitoring the pressure at all times. You should also make sure that all connections and equipment ratings have been tested properly, so as to avoid equipment failure and damage.

Personal Protective Equipment

The cement pumped into the well is an extreme irritant, so make sure that you are outfitted with the proper personal protective equipment. The less skin exposed, the better. In particular, you should prioritize wraparound goggles when squeezing cement, as getting cement in the eyes could cause permanent damage.

It takes both a personal and collective effort to keep your colleagues and yourself safe when working. Do your part by adhering to the safety reminders above, and don’t be afraid to remind your co-workers if you notice that they are not complying.

Stuff to secure on Lowboys

Heavy haul trailers such as the so-called “lowboy” models are often a boon to companies seeking transport of a large volume of materials. As their name implies, the main cargo bed is already machined to be more aligned with the trailer wheels’ axles, allowing for a lower center of gravity. Some sellers have models of between 55 tons to 60 tons. The design helps in the ease of loading, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has limited the types of materials that can be loaded onto lowboys. Here are a couple of them:

Vehicles

A lowboy trailer may have space for at least one vehicle, whether it’s an automobile, van, or light truck, as long as they each weigh no more than 10,000 pounds. However, if each vehicle’s weight is above the specified limit, especially for heavy machines, extra care is needed to secure it well. Machines with articulated parts, such as backhoes and cranes, should be locked down to prevent movement in transit.

Pipes

Pipes on low-boys provide a spiffy challenge for transport crews. When several pipes are bundled together on the bed, they must be adequately tied down to prevent them from rolling while in transit. The tie-downs must have an aggregate working load limit that is equal to at least half the total weight of all pipes.

Lowboy trailers provide adequate stability for materials during road transit. Proper stowage will add to the stability.

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