Safeguarding Venice—a Job Tailor-made for the Cat® AP655D
For centuries Venetians had given in to the Adriatic Sea, learning to celebrate its unique challenges rather than trying to hold back its tides. Today, much like centuries past, Venice, Italy, remains relatively unchanged. With its centuries-old influence on art, music, architecture and literature, and as the thirteenth century home to famed explorer Marco Polo, it’s one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations…one that many call today, a “floating museum.”
Venice was built on an archipelago of 118 islands, with over 150 canals and over 400 bridges connecting the islands. Visitors and residents to the old lagoon city travel only by water or on foot. In fact, it is considered Europe’s largest car-free urban area. So why then, might you ask, would a city like Venice need a state-of-the-art Cat AP655D Asphalt Paver? To help safeguard this historic city for the 20 million visitors that navigate its waterways each year, of course.
Back in 1966, an epic flood caused incalculable damage. Venice and nearby towns and villages were submerged under more than a metre of seawater. The pumping of groundwater and methane gas to meet the region’s industrial needs, likely caused Venice to begin to sink. Nearly 28 cm have been lost in just the last century. Although the pumping practices have long since ended, its effects, combined with today’s rising sea levels (widely attributed to climate change), have caused more frequent high-tide events (acqua alta). Today, Venice experiences high tide events with a frequency eight times more than in the early 1900s. Flood tides especially threaten the city throughout the winter months, and as a result, ground floor structures are no longer habitable throughout Venice.
Safeguarding Venice is delegated to the State and is carried out by the Ministry of Infrastructure—Venice Water Authority, through a consortium of Italian engineering and construction companies. In 2003, the consortium (Consorzio Venezia Nuova) began what many say is the largest public works project in Italian history. Called Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico)—literally, Electromechanical Experimental Module (or MoSE for short), this ambitious project intends to further defend Venice with a system of 78 inflatable mobile flood barriers that will temporarily separate her from the Adriatic Sea during exceptional high-tide events.
The flood barriers will be completely invisible and will remain in their underwater housing on the floor of their inlet canals, until needed. Compressed air will empty water to raise the gates, blocking incoming seawater. The MoSE system has been conservatively designed to allow for a global sea level rise of up to 60 cm—twice as high as worst-case scenarios currently estimated by the international scientific community. Three separate inlet gate locations will be constructed. When combined with 45 km of defenses previously installed along the coastline, these gates will allow even greater flexibility and control.
Temporary construction platforms—manmade areas—are in the works at each of the inlet sites. They minimize land use, enable the transportation of equipment and materials by sea, allow for dry storage, and facilitate construction and launching of the structural elements (caissons) for each row of gates. One such temporary prefabrication is currently under construction for the gates at Malamocco and Lido San Nicol. A new Cat AP655D with steel track undercarriage, one of the largest asphalt pavers in the Caterpillar® paver line, is helping to pave each of its 18 plots, 13 hectare (130,000 square metres) in total. Each prefabricated plot needs to be capable of supporting the weight of the concrete structures, some 25 m long and 15 m high.
“To ensure correct construction of these large concrete elements, and avoid possible differential settlements at their base during construction, it was essential for the support surfaces of the structures to be exceptionally sound and comply with extremely precise levelling tolerances,” explains Enrico Pellegrini, Site manager of Grandi Lavori FINCOSIT SpA. “This is why we decided to use the new Cat AP655D paver for construction of the lean concrete binding layer, with a thickness of approximately 8 cm.”
Initial trials carried out with the AP655D, supervised by a Cat engineer who quickly explained the intuitive and easy-to-use functions of this new paver to Grandi Lavori FINCOSIT operators, resulted in “extremely satisfactory results.” Therefore, the machine was immediately put to use.
“The advantages of [the machine’s] productivity, precision [paving performance] and timing are more than evident. 14 plots have been constructed, for a total of 35,000 square metres of material, with an average daily production of approximately 2,500 square metres. This is a major achievement,” underscores Pellegrini.
Site Foreman Vincenzo Saragnese and his operators share the same satisfaction for the maneuverability of the machine, its exceptional stability, and the unsurpassed precision and the exceptional uniformity of the AP655D’s performance. “Due to the excellent firmness of the material placed, which was [only] obtained by means of tamper vibration…no subsequent compaction with a roller was necessary,” noted Saragnese.
The construction of the caissons will begin after the plots are paved. In about 12 to 14 months, the Cat AP655D paver will again be put to use paving the entire area with a cement-stabilized material. Today, the MoSE project is currently on track and 40 percent complete. With the help of the AP655D, it is scheduled to wrap up in 2012.
Innovative Features of the Cat AP655D
The new AP655D offers contractors a versatile high-productive paver solution, meeting a variety of regional needs across EAME. With an operating weight of 19,165 kg, it competes in the 18-19 ton major class size in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). It is one of the largest and most productive asphalt pavers in the Caterpillar paver line.
Its versatility lies in the AP655D’s two proven undercarriage systems, the Mobil-trac™ System (MTS rubber track undercarriage) or steel track undercarriage configurations. Each allows the paver to easily handle surface irregularities, for even the most rigorous jobsite environment (wet or dry!)—while producing exceptional machine stability, mobility and unsurpassed mat smoothness.
Its Cat C6.6 turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel engine delivers ample power (129 kw) and features proven ACERT™ Technology that incorporates a series of innovations working at the point of combustion to optimize engine performance. And, it meets European Stage IIIA engine emissions regulations for off-road applications.
Employing one of the most proven material handling systems in the industry, the AP655D delivers precise material control and unsurpassed paving results. Its Advisor Monitoring System (AMS) offers an intuitive interface, which allows operators to easily maintain optimal machine performance. A dual swing-out operator’s platform delivers ergonomic comfort, control and precise visibility. Serviceability and reliability are engineered from day one.
The AP655D is ideally suited for motorways, highways, industrial sites, parking lots, urban and rural roads, city streets, residential streets and other production-sized paving jobs.
About Caterpillar
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world’s infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales and revenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
Safeguarding Venice
Safeguarding Venice—a Job Tailor-made for the Cat® AP655D
For centuries Venetians had given in to the Adriatic Sea, learning to celebrate its unique challenges rather than trying to hold back its tides. Today, much like centuries past, Venice, Italy, remains relatively unchanged. With its centuries-old influence on art, music, architecture and literature, and as the thirteenth century home to famed explorer Marco Polo, it’s one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations…one that many call today, a “floating museum.”
Venice was built on an archipelago of 118 islands, with over 150 canals and over 400 bridges connecting the islands. Visitors and residents to the old lagoon city travel only by water or on foot. In fact, it is considered Europe’s largest car-free urban area. So why then, might you ask, would a city like Venice need a state-of-the-art Cat AP655D Asphalt Paver? To help safeguard this historic city for the 20 million visitors that navigate its waterways each year, of course.
Back in 1966, an epic flood caused incalculable damage. Venice and nearby towns and villages were submerged under more than a metre of seawater. The pumping of groundwater and methane gas to meet the region’s industrial needs, likely caused Venice to begin to sink. Nearly 28 cm have been lost in just the last century. Although the pumping practices have long since ended, its effects, combined with today’s rising sea levels (widely attributed to climate change), have caused more frequent high-tide events (acqua alta). Today, Venice experiences high tide events with a frequency eight times more than in the early 1900s. Flood tides especially threaten the city throughout the winter months, and as a result, ground floor structures are no longer habitable throughout Venice.
Safeguarding Venice is delegated to the State and is carried out by the Ministry of Infrastructure—Venice Water Authority, through a consortium of Italian engineering and construction companies. In 2003, the consortium (Consorzio Venezia Nuova) began what many say is the largest public works project in Italian history. Called Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico)—literally, Electromechanical Experimental Module (or MoSE for short), this ambitious project intends to further defend Venice with a system of 78 inflatable mobile flood barriers that will temporarily separate her from the Adriatic Sea during exceptional high-tide events.
The flood barriers will be completely invisible and will remain in their underwater housing on the floor of their inlet canals, until needed. Compressed air will empty water to raise the gates, blocking incoming seawater. The MoSE system has been conservatively designed to allow for a global sea level rise of up to 60 cm—twice as high as worst-case scenarios currently estimated by the international scientific community. Three separate inlet gate locations will be constructed. When combined with 45 km of defenses previously installed along the coastline, these gates will allow even greater flexibility and control.
Temporary construction platforms—manmade areas—are in the works at each of the inlet sites. They minimize land use, enable the transportation of equipment and materials by sea, allow for dry storage, and facilitate construction and launching of the structural elements (caissons) for each row of gates. One such temporary prefabrication is currently under construction for the gates at Malamocco and Lido San Nicol. A new Cat AP655D with steel track undercarriage, one of the largest asphalt pavers in the Caterpillar® paver line, is helping to pave each of its 18 plots, 13 hectare (130,000 square metres) in total. Each prefabricated plot needs to be capable of supporting the weight of the concrete structures, some 25 m long and 15 m high.
“To ensure correct construction of these large concrete elements, and avoid possible differential settlements at their base during construction, it was essential for the support surfaces of the structures to be exceptionally sound and comply with extremely precise levelling tolerances,” explains Enrico Pellegrini, Site manager of Grandi Lavori FINCOSIT SpA. “This is why we decided to use the new Cat AP655D paver for construction of the lean concrete binding layer, with a thickness of approximately 8 cm.”
Initial trials carried out with the AP655D, supervised by a Cat engineer who quickly explained the intuitive and easy-to-use functions of this new paver to Grandi Lavori FINCOSIT operators, resulted in “extremely satisfactory results.” Therefore, the machine was immediately put to use.
“The advantages of [the machine’s] productivity, precision [paving performance] and timing are more than evident. 14 plots have been constructed, for a total of 35,000 square metres of material, with an average daily production of approximately 2,500 square metres. This is a major achievement,” underscores Pellegrini.
Site Foreman Vincenzo Saragnese and his operators share the same satisfaction for the maneuverability of the machine, its exceptional stability, and the unsurpassed precision and the exceptional uniformity of the AP655D’s performance. “Due to the excellent firmness of the material placed, which was [only] obtained by means of tamper vibration…no subsequent compaction with a roller was necessary,” noted Saragnese.
The construction of the caissons will begin after the plots are paved. In about 12 to 14 months, the Cat AP655D paver will again be put to use paving the entire area with a cement-stabilized material. Today, the MoSE project is currently on track and 40 percent complete. With the help of the AP655D, it is scheduled to wrap up in 2012.
Innovative Features of the Cat AP655D
The new AP655D offers contractors a versatile high-productive paver solution, meeting a variety of regional needs across EAME. With an operating weight of 19,165 kg, it competes in the 18-19 ton major class size in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). It is one of the largest and most productive asphalt pavers in the Caterpillar paver line.
Its versatility lies in the AP655D’s two proven undercarriage systems, the Mobil-trac™ System (MTS rubber track undercarriage) or steel track undercarriage configurations. Each allows the paver to easily handle surface irregularities, for even the most rigorous jobsite environment (wet or dry!)—while producing exceptional machine stability, mobility and unsurpassed mat smoothness.
Its Cat C6.6 turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel engine delivers ample power (129 kw) and features proven ACERT™ Technology that incorporates a series of innovations working at the point of combustion to optimize engine performance. And, it meets European Stage IIIA engine emissions regulations for off-road applications.
Employing one of the most proven material handling systems in the industry, the AP655D delivers precise material control and unsurpassed paving results. Its Advisor Monitoring System (AMS) offers an intuitive interface, which allows operators to easily maintain optimal machine performance. A dual swing-out operator’s platform delivers ergonomic comfort, control and precise visibility. Serviceability and reliability are engineered from day one.
The AP655D is ideally suited for motorways, highways, industrial sites, parking lots, urban and rural roads, city streets, residential streets and other production-sized paving jobs.
About Caterpillar
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world’s infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales and revenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
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