What engineering equipment is used for road construction?

Blog what engineering equipment is used in road construction

Roads require a specialized set of construction vehicles, construction tools and expert measuring devices for a smooth, safe and long-lasting driving surface. If you’re looking to create a driveway or better understand the tools professional road construction workers use in their daily job, check out these common pieces of equipment.

Heavy-Duty Equipment

Blog what engineering equipment is used in road construction

Modern road construction projects rely on heavy-duty machinery. Here are just a few common work vehicles you can expect to see on the job site:

Dump trucks
Excavators
Rollers
Pavers
Forklifts

The ground has to be cleared to make way for a smooth, deep foundation. This foundation will hold the asphalt top that the rollers and pavers smooth out to create the road surface you’re used to driving on.

Safety Gear

While machinery handles the bulk of the lifting work, construction crew members must use a variety of shovels, stampers, pavers and other hand tools to assist the construction vehicles in creating a flawless road. Safety gear is essential for this line of work, so expect to see high-visibility vests, hard hats and safety glasses at minimum.

Measuring Devices

No roadwork project can be completed without a detailed plan and accurate measuring devices. This is where engineers help to create a dependable road construction. State-of-the-art engineering equipment is used to calculate the necessary foundation, measure the construction site and ensure the proper width, level surface and other features of the new road.

Blog what engineering equipment is used in road construction

What Are the Types of Road Construction?

Roads can be made out of a range of materials. Here are some common types of roads you may see or work on:

Soil stabilized
Gravel
Earth
Cement concrete
Bituminous or black top

Black top, or asphalt, is the most common option used in most countries, but gravel and earth roads are still popular ways to create a level surface capable of handling automobile traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Different Types of Construction Equipment?

These heavy-duty construction tools are used in every stage of the process. Semi trucks, cranes, loaders, asphalt mixers, road rollers, graders, excavators and forklifts are just a few types of construction equipment used on a typical job. Some jobs require an entire fleet of vehicles to keep up with deadlines, but a single grader, roller and excavator can handle a small project.

What Materials Are Used in Road Construction?

The type of material changes depending on the type of road. However, there are a few basic materials used in most road constructions. Gravel, asphalt and concrete are present on many job sites. These reliable materials can provide long-term stability for most motor vehicles. Asphalt is the most common road finishing surface.

What Is Road Construction?

Road construction is the process of using specialized engineering tools and construction equipment to make a roadway for vehicles, bicycles or foot traffic. Depending on the type of road and the surrounding environment, road construction can require a range of materials and equipment. Road construction is typically handled by a private, professional contractor.

What Are Driving Tools?

Driving tools are used to drive a fastener into a piece of material or to drive a stake into the ground. Depending on the application, hammers, screwdrivers, fence post drivers and power equipment can all be classified as driving tools. Driving tools may not be needed for the main construction of a road, but are often used to put up safety fencing and street signs.

Find the Ideal Engineering Tools

At Engineer Supply, we offer a diverse set of measuring devices, safety gear and construction tools. Shop for tools today to find out how you can invest in the equipment necessary to plan a road construction project or to tackle any other engineering or construction challenge.