QES Engineering - Inspection

Exciting News! We're thrilled to announce that we have relocated to a new corporate office in Pennsylvania! Check out the attached flyer for more details. We look forward to welcoming you to our new space and continuing to provide exceptional service and support.

🚧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐬 🚧 Transportation agencies are utilizing agency-owned or contracted Transverse Pavement Profilers (TPP) to conduct detailed pavement condition surveys. These surveys measure crucial aspects such as rut depth, cross slope, and edge/curb detection. A national pooled fund study, TPF-5(299), has been established to assist transportation agencies in developing and utilizing quality standards for the collection and analysis of this pavement condition data. QES is assisting transportation agencies in the implementation of the newly developed AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Provisional Standards. Check out our latest video for a snapshot of some of the series of tests included in the standards implementation effort conducted for TPP from Fugro and Surface Systems & Instruments, Inc. #PavementCondition #Infrastructure #AASHTO #PavementEngineering #PavementProfiling

𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬: 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 The Swiss Federal Roads Office FEDRO, introduces a groundbreaking plan to revolutionize highway resurfacing with the ASTRA BRIDGE, a mobile bridge designed to route traffic over construction sites. The bridge, 236 meters long and made of several modules, will allow vehicles to cross at a maximum speed of 60 km/h, providing a 100-meter stretch for construction work underneath. Each module weighs 33 tons, with additional modules for access and connection. The pilot project costs 20 million Swiss francs ($22.5 million USD) and is currently in the implementation phase. Initial tests were conducted in late Fall 2021, with the first use in Spring 2022 between Recherswil and Kriegstetten. This initiative aims to minimize traffic disruptions, optimize work processes, and reduce overall costs. It addresses challenges such as increasing traffic, high costs of night work, noise restrictions, and safety setup time. Source: Federal Roads Office FEDRO Switzerland #PavementNews #RoadConstruction #InfrastructureInnovation #TrafficManagement #PavementEngineering #ASTRABridge

🔍 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧-𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐛 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 The Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) process for Slab Fracturing techniques includes verification that full-depth cracking is taking place. Full-depth cracking ensures that the concrete slabs are sufficiently broken down, reducing their effective length and thus the stress concentrations that can lead to reflection cracking in the new asphalt overlay. 🎥 Explore standard QC/QA practices in Pennsylvania and see them in action in this video from one of our recent projects in Cambria County. #QAQC #PavementRehabilitation #Construction #Infrastructure

We're #hiring a new Lead Structures Inspector in Pennsylvania. Apply today or share this post with your network!

𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: 𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 The renewable energy sector, especially wind power, has experienced substantial growth recently, leading to an increase in the size and power of wind turbines. This progress presents significant challenges in transporting massive components such as blades, nacelles, and towers, which often exceed the limits of existing infrastructure. Components exceeding 100 meters in length and tower sections surpassing 130 tons necessitate specialized vehicles with up to 13 axles for transportation. The movement of these oversized and overweight loads demands extensive planning, permitting, and route modifications. 🚛 Transportation Challenges: Navigating the logistical challenges of moving wind turbine components includes several key considerations: · Route Planning: Identifying routes that can accommodate oversized loads while avoiding infrastructure constraints like low bridges and narrow roads. · Equipment Use: Utilizing extendable trailers and modular configurations to distribute weight evenly and minimize road surface impact. · Regulatory Compliance: Securing the necessary permits and adhering to regulations regarding weight limits and travel times. 🔎 The Critical Role of Pavement Strength Evaluation: Evaluating pavement strength is essential for ensuring road networks can support the heavy loads of wind turbine components without sustaining damage. This process includes: · Advanced Assessments: Using methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Deflection Testing (FWD/HWD) for thorough pavement condition and strength evaluations. · Strategic Route Selection: Leveraging assessment data to select routes that can support heavy loads, implementing infrastructure enhancements as needed. In a recent project in Hidalgo County, Texas, our team conducted a comprehensive pavement assessment on 250 miles of haul roads designated for the development of a wind farm. This assessment incorporated Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) Testing, Geotech Subsurface Investigation (coring, boring, testing), and pavement surface condition evaluation. Utilizing the gathered data, we performed a traffic impact analysis and devised repair strategies for roads deemed structurally insufficient. 🎥 Explore this footage of two wind turbine blades being transported on a low-volume gravel/asphalt surface roads, showcasing the complex logistics and impressive size of these elements. #windpower #renewableenergy #HWDtesting #FWDtesting #GPR #roaduseragreement #Pavements

Staff Spotlight💡 Earlier this month, Hurley Gammon attended an MWBDE event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Edward C. Gainey. We extend our appreciation to both individuals for their commitment to serving the local community! Vice President, Hurley Gammon (Right) and Mayor of Pittsburgh, Edward C. Gainey (Middle) #qespavements #constructioninspection

𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬: 𝐀 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐬𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 The history of roundabouts dates back to the 19th century, with one of the oldest examples being Monument Circle in Indianapolis, constructed in 1821. This journey through time showcases the evolution of circular intersections from early traffic circles to the modern roundabouts we see today. The concept of modern roundabouts emerged as a significant improvement over traditional rotaries and traffic circles, thanks to the UK's pioneering "give way" rule in 1966. This rule requiring entering traffic to yield to circulating traffic, transformed circular intersections' safety and efficiency, paving the way for the widespread adoption of roundabouts. The United States witnessed a roundabout renaissance over the past 30 years, with the first notable guides published in the late '90s and early 2000s. From just 50 known roundabouts in 1998 to over 8,800 by 2021, the growth is a testament to their effectiveness in improving road safety and traffic flow. In Pennsylvania, the adoption of roundabouts began around 15 years ago, with the state's first modern roundabout constructed in 2002 at U.S. 30 and Pa. 194 in Abbottstown, Adams County. Since then, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has been actively integrating roundabouts into its transportation infrastructure, with approximately 10 new roundabouts being built each year on state roadways. Pennsylvania's adoption of roundabouts has significantly improved road safety and reduced the severity of crashes, as evidenced by recent data. According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) analysis based on at least three years of crash data from roundabouts on state routes, the installation of 36 roundabouts at 33 intersections statewide led to a 76% reduction in suspected serious injuries and a 22% decrease in suspected minor injuries, with an overall 9% reduction in total crashes. Check out the aerial drone footage captured by our DJI Phantom 4 Pro, showcasing the temporary traffic configuration during the construction of a roundabout in Erie County, Pennsylvania highlighting one of our recently completed construction inspection projects. 🎥🚁👇 🚗🚦 #Roundabouts #ConstructionInspection #Drones #TrafficManagement

𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐛 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 Rehabilitating reinforced concrete pavements that have reached their terminal serviceability is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and safety of our road systems. The “Break and Seat” technique offers a rehabilitation solution aiming to minimize reflective cracking in asphalt concrete overlays of jointed concrete pavements. In a rehabilitation project on I-90 in Erie County, Pennsylvania, this method was utilized. The concrete slabs were fractured by Antigo Construction Family of Companies employing a multi-head concrete pavement breaker. Subsequently, a 50-Ton pneumatic roller was used to seat the broken slabs, effectively preparing them for the next layer. To calibrate the breaking machine's optimum breaking pattern and verify the fractured layer's modulus for quality acceptance, QES conducted FWD testing on the fractured and seated concrete layer. Below is footage of the breaking operation, providing an insightful look into the unique technique. 🎥👇 #Pavements #Rehabilitation #BreakandSeat #PCCPavments #FWDTesting

𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐖𝐃 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬 (𝐋𝐀𝐒) ✈️ Deflection testing provides unparalleled insights into pavement integrity. This clip shows deflection testing being conducted at LAS airport at a slab corner location to evaluate the performance of the transverse and longitudinal joints and to determine the potential for voids under the slab. Conducted with our recently acquired HWD Dynatest 8082, this testing was intended to simulate the wheel load of a Boeing 747. Check it out 👇 #HWDTesting #AiportPavements #PCCPavements