Tatum, C B; Vorster, M and Klingler, M (2006) Innovations in earthmoving equipment: New forms and their evolution. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 132(9), pp. 987-997. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The technological advancement of earthmoving equipment during the 20th century includes the introduction of at least seven completely new forms. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the introduction of five new forms (track-type tractor, off-highway truck, wheel tractor scraper, hydraulic excavator, and loader-backhoe) and their subsequent incremental improvement. The description of innovation for each machine includes markets and the state of technology at introduction, differences of the new form, and changes during subsequent development. The major findings from this analysis are the key role of new technology for machine systems in the development of the new forms, the continued importance of each form in earthmoving markets, and the significant continued advancement of the equipment through incremental improvements. These findings are relevant for practice to assist in identifying possible improvements in equipment capability and work procedures. The results will also assist educators in courses concerning equipment capability and technical advancement and researchers in considering new equipment forms and capabilities as a part of developing new tools to model and improve equipment-intensive construction operations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction equipment; earthwork; innovation; technology |
| Index terms: | evolution, construction operation, markets, earthwork, earthmoving, construction equipment, hydraulic, new technology |
| Subjects: | environmental science, construction methods, construction operations, economic analysis, fluid mechanics, construction equipment, innovation and technology management |
| Topics: | Plant and Equipment, Engineering Principles, Site Management, Sustainability, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here