Crane mats provide crucial support for construction machinery on uneven terrain. They ensure cranes and other equipment don’t sink or get mired in mud or wet land areas.

Heavily loaded crane mats need to be strong enough and have adequate stiffness properties to distribute loads evenly. Otherwise, the load could shift and cause damage to the machinery.

What Makes Crane Mats Durable?

Crane mats provide a stable base for heavy machinery and are used in a variety of construction projects, including building and bridge construction, excavation projects, and those needing crane access trestles. They help stabilize the equipment and keep it off of softer or uneven ground conditions, which can damage the surface or cause injury to the operator.

They also offer protection for the environment by preventing the machine from churning up the soil as it travels over it. This helps preserve the ground for future use and reduces the risk of erosion. They are commonly used in environmentally sensitive areas and can be used to cross wetlands, streams, or ditches. They are also sometimes used in urban areas to allow large construction equipment to access buildings or traverse buried pipelines without damaging the infrastructure.

The materials that crane mats are made from play a key role in their durability. The most common type of crane mat is the timber type, which is typically made from hardwood timbers like douglas fir or oak. These are heavy and solid, which allows them to support the weight of the equipment and the movement of the equipment without becoming damaged or deformed over time. Another option is the composite crane mat, which is often a lighter alternative to the timber type. These are made from recycled materials, which makes them an environmentally friendly choice. These are generally cheaper to buy than timber mats, and they can withstand the same amount of pressure as the timber types.

Regardless of the material, all crane mats are designed with the same goal in mind: to provide stability and support to heavy machinery. They are a cost-effective solution to prevent the costly repairs and replacements that can result from a damaged or unstable foundation. They can also be used to create temporary roads and bridging for construction equipment, which means that workers don’t have to spend their time fighting sand, mud, or water when trying to get work done.

To ensure that the crane mats will stay in place, they need to be securely fastened to the ground. This is why it’s important to choose a company that specializes in manufacturing crane mats from start to finish. This will ensure that the crane mats are of high quality and have been manufactured to last. Additionally, it’s important to avoid companies that sell second-hand or recycled crane mats as these could be weakened over time and not stand up to the heavy loads they are expected to carry.

Materials

Large construction projects require heavy machinery to access hard-to-reach areas. But working on uneven ground can damage or get equipment stuck. Crane mats are an effective way to navigate these rocky, sandy, or wet landscapes while providing a work platform for cranes and other equipment. Mats are made of wood planks that are nailed together and create an area where the downward force of a truck, excavators, or other machinery is distributed without pushing deep into the soil.

When used with other ground support systems, like steel mats or mud and rock mats, crane mats provide stability while protecting the surrounding environment and making it easier to work on ecologically sensitive areas. In addition to stabilizing the ground, crane mats also protect the vehicles that drive over them from damage and wear and tear. They can help to prevent erosion, compact the soil, and preserve the biodiversity of the area by helping it retain water and nutrients.

The material used to make crane mats is crucial to their durability. The most common materials are timber and composites, but metals, high-density plastics, and even rubber have been used in mat fabrication. Wood is a popular choice for crane mats because it’s easy to use and allows for quick fabrication. It’s also durable, and the right hardwood can help to distribute the weight of machinery over a larger surface area.

Timber crane mats are often nailed together to form a large, sturdy platform that supports the weight of heavy machinery. The type of timber used is important, as it determines the durability and strength of the mat. Timbers such as Ekki, Okan, and Dabema are known for their abrasion resistance, durability, and longevity.

It’s essential that the right size of timber is chosen for a project, as the wrong sized timber can create gaps between mats that could cause safety issues or environmental damage. A reputable crane mat manufacturer will have a quality control process in place to make sure that the timbers are sized correctly and return any that aren’t up to standard.

Crane mats are also a great solution for distributing the outrigger load over a greater area, which reduces the pressure on the ground. The sizing of crane mats is usually determined within a temporary works design, taking into account the size and weight of machinery, supporting ground conditions, outrigger loads, and more.

Stiffness

The ability of crane mats to support the weight of heavy machinery while also providing a stable foundation is one of their most important qualities. This allows for safe and effective work in areas that would otherwise be impassable – especially over soft or wet terrains. It’s also crucial for maintaining soil stability and minimizing environmental damage.

The type of crane mats you choose for your project will depend on several factors, including the ground conditions and the equipment you’re using. Heavier equipment requires more surface area and strength to distribute the load evenly, while lighter machinery can be supported by a smaller mat. Once you know the size and weight of your machinery, it’s easier to select a crane mat that will provide optimum results.

Some of the most popular types of crane mats are made from timber. They’re often long lengths that look a little like railway sleepers, and they’re a favorite choice for projects that require a large amount of ground support. Timber crane mats are strong enough to hold the weight of heavy machinery, but they’re also easy to transport and stack. They’re also an environmentally friendly option, and they can be reused over time when they’ve been worn down or damaged.

If you need a more permanent solution, consider using a composite crane mat like Spartan Mat. They’re engineered with a high-density wood core, and they’re designed to handle the biggest machinery and trucks. Because they’re able to spread the weight of machinery over a greater surface area, these crane mats can decrease erosion and contamination caused by soil churn.

Another advantage of using composite crane mats is that they’re designed to be more rigid than traditional timber crane mats. This helps to protect the ground and any structures underneath them, such as gas lines. In addition, a rigid crane mat can reduce the risk of a crane tipping over because of uneven ground pressure.

Durability

Crane mats are the nearly invisible foundational heroes of the construction world, providing safe and stable support for heavy machinery without undue stress on the ground. The durability of these mats is the key to ensuring the safety of both equipment and workers on construction sites, mitigating the risk of accidents, soil degradation, and costly delays that can result from unsupported loads. Laminated crane mats in particular excel at dispersing the weight of heavy equipment over a larger surface area, preventing concentrated pressure points that can damage the underlying ground or compromise the stability of the equipment itself.

The growing investment in construction and infrastructure development is a major driver of the global crane mats market. Stricter safety regulations and standards require use of crane mats for improved stability and prevention of ground disturbance, fueling demand for high-quality options.

In addition, the use of crane mats helps reduce the need for supplementary ground preparation procedures, which can be expensive and labor-intensive. This in turn minimizes the environmental footprint of projects and promotes sustainable development practices.

Moreover, the durability of crane mats makes it easier to safeguard sensitive ecological areas from the impacts of construction. These mats help reduce the risk of soil erosion, habitat destruction, and contamination of water bodies. They also shield vegetation from the impact of machinery, allowing it to grow healthy and strong.

In a global environment where sustainability is increasingly important, the durability of crane mats has a wide variety of applications for industry and local governments alike. By reducing the need for supplemental ground preparation, crane mats not only provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods but also help reduce the carbon footprint of projects.

For these reasons, ALIMATS are trusted by some of the biggest names in construction. They are used by main contractors, plant hire specialists, house builders, streel frame contractors, concrete frame contractors and scaffolding companies on all sorts of high profile projects including HS2, RAF Alconbury, Heathrow Airport, Tideway, London Guildhall, Google HQ Kings Cross and many more. In the case of excavation projects, ALIMATS are a vital tool for creating a solid and secure work platform under MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Working Platforms). The robustness of these mats is crucial in ensuring efficient operation and longevity of the machines involved.