Contractors need to quickly move large equipment, cranes and/or transport vehicles across tough terrain including soft soil and mud conditions. This is the case with civil engineering and utility construction projects as well as mining and large events. Contractors moving heavy equipment over soft and/or muddy surfaces with the use of unreinforced surfaces can cause severe rutting, bogging of equipment, project delays and long term soil compaction. The use of timber mats and/or temporary gravel roads can address the issues caused by the use of unreinforced surfaces. Breaking of equipment by timber mats can occur. After the project, a large amount of waste timber mats can be generated. Therefore many contractors use Heavy Duty thermoplastic ground protection panels. These systems help resolve the challenges related to other systems of ground protection. These ground protection systems support to stabilize and level the ground. Contractors can obtain support of HDPE Ground Protection Mats Manufacturer India for heavy duty thermoplastic ground protection systems. With the help of an HDPE Ground Protection Mats Supplier India, contractors can buy these systems and create temporary safe and non-skid roads, staging areas, and work platforms.
Material Science and Mechanics of High Density Polyethylene
High-density polyethylene is the main constituent in the construction of today’s Ground Protection Pads. It possesses an excellent load bearing capacity, and combined with its durability, provides long term benefits. High-density polyethylene has molecules with straight chains, and this makes them pack closely together. This results in a very rigid material with high impact strength, and does not absorb water. Additives are mixed in during the extrusion process, to improve its properties. These include: anti-static agents, UV stabilizers and anti-oxidants, to name a few. As a result, the polyethylene gains a high level of resistance to chemicals, like fuels, oils, industrial chemicals, acidic soils and temperatures below 0°C. High density polyethylene is known to maintain its physical and structural integrity. Given these, the pads support and distribute heavy loads of vehicles for long periods of time. It is important to note, the pads can be recycled many times, and still retain their properties.
Excellent load-distribution and ground stabilization characteristics
Protective matting is a form of load distribution when vehicles are supported by a mat instead of driven directly on the ground. When large, heavy vehicles, such as dump trucks and backhoes, are driven across undeveloped, unpaved lands, tire ruts and soil shear failure occur. This can also cause excessive soil disturbance. To support soft, unpaved soil surfaces and to reduce the risk of soil compaction, Torsion Fuels, LLC, developed a mat system. The mat system consists of polymer mats of high density and connected to each other, which serves as a bridge between the soft, subgrade soil and the wheel load. The mats create a continuous, even surface pad and uniformly reduce the pressure that the wheel exerts on the soil. The system reduces pressure on the Earth to approximately 80% and minimizes the risk of soil compaction. Decreasing the pressure on the Earth also lessens the chances of utilities (underground pipelines) being ruptured. This also provides a path for vehicles to use when operating on soft, muddy, sandy, and marshy soils. This enables vehicles to not sink into soft soils.
Innovative Surface Textures and Traction Engineering
The development of special surfaces that allow for the passage of vehicles and pedestrians through hazardous construction zones that may contain mud, ice and water would greatly enhance construction safety. The two largest manufacturers of access mats create traction surfaces on the sides of mats. The type of surface created on the mat is dependent upon the anticipated use of the mat. One side of the mat is typically created with large, aggressive lugs to minimize slip. The other side of the mat is created with a non-skid surface for pedestrian travel. A finely textured surface on the mat creates a safe walking surface for people and a surface that allows small utility vehicles to traverse the mat. Contractors are able to use the mat for both construction access and for public events. As a result, the mat is able to provide safe vehicular access to construction and other access trails and provide safe public access to events.
Field Deployment, Interlocking Efficiency and Site Agility
Fast-track construction uses access systems to quickly open and close areas of a job site. The systems must deploy rapidly and require little to no manual labor for system install, modify or recover. Traditionally, access systems used interlocking wood or steel mats. Stepping on wood mats can lead to splinters and other injuries. Recent improvements to access systems provide the use of high-density polymer (HDP) pads which are lighter weight than steel mats. A small crew can quickly interlock HDP pads to cover larger areas of a job site. HDP pads allow the use of smaller cranes for mating. At completion of a job site, access system HDP pads can be quickly disconnected and washed to remove dirt and debris. The pads are then stacked for transport to the next job site.
Cost Reduction for Environmental Protection and Site Cleanup
Ground protection systems provide environmental advantages and help comply with permits for site conditions. Heavy equipment operation without ground protection can lead to removal of topsoil and increased soil erosion. Non-porous polymer ground protection panels located over sensitive turf help prevent accidental fuel spills. Polymer panels provide a clean surface which allows for the reduction of post construction restoration expenses and help develop green spaces. The cost for the disposal of contaminated soils and the repair of landscaping is reduced for developers, helping them gain credits for Green Developer certification.
Multi Year Reusability and Economic Value Analysis
There are times when certain site access products may appear too expensive, and organizations may wonder if they are worth the cost. One factor that can be examined is how long a company can expect a product to perform its designed function. Wood planks or panels can seem like a cost effective option; however, they will require frequent replacement, and over time, they will actually increase the cost of access. HDPE High Density Polyethylene mats on the other hand will provide an excellent return on investment and product longevity. HDPE mats have an expected long service life. As an engineered product, HDPE mats provide several benefits to an organization. For example, HDPE mats eliminate the need to purchase wood products on a continuous basis, reduce the shipping costs of transporting equipment across mud, and lessen the delays caused by poor site conditions.
Conclusion
Advanced HDPE ground protection mat suppliers in India have gained considerable traction in the civil engineering and mining logistics sectors, as well as in the renewable energy and outdoor event management sectors. HDPE Ground Protection Mats Supplier India have a host of features, which allow for global market penetration. To start with, HDPE mats have a very high load bearing capacity. Next, they are non-chemical and can be manufactured with a range of different surfaces. Their surfaces can also be engineered to provide superior traction. Additionally, they can be reused numerous times over on different projects. Lastly, as the construction industry adapts to more stringent environmental laws and aims to improve its overall productivity, high performance ground protection mats would provide fast, safe and eco-friendly access to the world’s different terrains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the maximum weight that a high density polyethylene ground protection mat can carry?
The amount of load that can be carried by high-performance mats depends upon their thickness and the type of soil they are laid over. High-performance mats can carry very large axle loads of 20 to 120 tons and even more so they are great for using with large machines.
How do these mats prevent vehicles from getting stuck in deep mud?
The rigid panels are able to spread the load of the heavy wheels over a large area. This allows the panels to act as a bridge over soft subgrade, which helps prevent the wheels from sinking into the ground. Additionally, the rigid panels have high traction surface lug patterns that help to prevent the wheels from sliding or slipping on top of the panels.
Who is the largest supplier of HDPE Ground Protection Mats?
Singhal Industries Private Limited is a global leader in the manufacturing and supplying of heavy duty, long lasting HDPE Ground Protection Mats and Geosynthetics Solutions.
Can polymer ground mats be used for several different construction projects?
Yes, Singhal Industries Private Limited produces highly durable, UV stabilized mats that will withstand rot, moisture, and chemical deterioration, allowing for multiple uses on various job sites.
Can ground protection mats be installed easily without heavy machinery?
Yes, many types of mats standard have a weight range of 20 to 40 kg, so that 2 workers can move, position and connect the mats with their hands and not need heavy machinery like cranes to assist.