FAQ >> CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTS

CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTS

Construction equipments have been classified in various ways. The classification could be on the basis of the function an equipment performs-for example, materialloading function, material-transporting function, etc. In the functional classification, equipments are grouped into (a) power units, (b) prime movers, which make it possible for the equipment to operate, (c) tractors, (d) material-handling equipment and (e) material-processing equipment. It could be on the basis of the operation in which the equipment is used. For example, under this classification we have-(a) equipments used for loosening and moving the materials found in their natural state (equipments under this clack include compressors, pumps, excavators, earthmoving equipment, trenchers, and conveying and hauling equipments); (b) equipments used for processing the materials, such as aggregate, concrete and asphalt production equipment. (c) equipments used for transporting the processed materials; and (d) equipments used for placing finished materials. Another basis is the purpose, whether general-purpose or special-purpose equipments. For example, in general-purpose equipment we can have earthwork equipment, material-hoisting equipment, concreting equipment, etc., while in special-purpose equipment we can have bridge-construction equipment, marine equipment, coffer dams and caissons equipment, large-diameter pipe-laying equipment. and so on. Classification based on the purpose could be company-specific. For example, if a construction company is into tunnel construction. the tunnel-boring machine could be the general-purpose equipment for this company, while it may be a special-purpose equipment for a company that is mostly into building construction.^detailed discussion on classification ofconstruction equipment can be seen in Construction Equipment Handbook by Day and Benjamin (1991). The classification helps in identifying equipments and their spare parts, besides helping in accounting for the cost related to the equipment. Most companies maintain alphanumeric codes to classify equipments and their spare parts.

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