Hand-held moisture meter speeds up road building

Hydramotion MicroLance hand-held moisture meter is being used to measure the moisture content of materials in the field, avoiding the need for time-consuming laboratory work.

Cutting-edge technology from Hydramotion is playing a vital part in the laying of base course materials for a 90-kilometre stretch of sealed, high-standard road in Western Australia, linking the mining town of Karratha to the heart of the Millstream Chichester National Park.

The Hydramotion MicroLance hand-held moisture meter is being used to measure the moisture content of materials in the field, avoiding the need for time-consuming laboratory work.

The fully portable battery-powered MicroLance measures both the moisture and temperature of minerals and building materials at depths of up to nearly two metres simply by insertion.

Geotechnical Team Leader Geoff Cocks said that as far as he knew it was the first time the technology had been used in road construction in Western Australia.

"It's a big plus, because the moisture level has to be correct to ensure the efficient compaction of the road base, " Geoff commented.

"Our on-site laboratory would normally take 24 hours to turn around the samples, but this device allows us to do that on the run so we can adjust the water being added by our stabilising machine and get on with the job".

Known as Stage 2 of the Karratha-Tom Price Road Project, the new road will halve the journey time between Karratha and the National Park, greatly encouraging tourism.

Construction began in June 2006 and is due to be completed in May 2008.

The supply of base course materials presented a significant challenge for the project.

Because local gravels were unsuitable, lateritic gravel had to be brought in from an area about 20 kilometres south of the project (outside the National Park), crushed rock had to be bought from a Karratha quarry and a crusher established at the Karratha end.

The MicroLance has greatly speeded up the checking of moisture levels in all these materials.

More details can be found at www.themicrolance.com.

Back to top