How do you replace worn concrete pavement at an international airport that operates 24/7? You do it fast… REALLY fast.

First, engineers evaluated every square meter of Melbourne’s concrete taxiways and runways to identify which sections needed replacement. The total? Hundreds over a few years.

The issue? They couldn’t interrupt the air traffic from around the world. No problem—enter Eifers Civil.

The Eifers team has perfected replacing concrete slabs in only hours. The operation is scheduled in 15-minute increments, from about 11 PM to 4 AM. By 6 AM, planes are rolling over the concrete.

First, they stage all equipment on trailers, ready for mobilization once the area is clear. After air traffic control gives them the all-clear, they spring into action.

They sawcut each section the night prior. This allows the excavators to cleanly remove the concrete without a hammer. They remove and haul the concrete off in trucks.

The excavator quickly grades the area, and then the drills step in to drill for the dowels, which tie the new concrete into the surrounding slabs.

Finally, they use volumetric trucks to make the needed concrete on demand. The mix uses a rapid-set high-strength concrete that sets up in only hours, giving it the strength to hold fully loaded aircraft only hours after placement.

They finish the concrete, load all their equipment back onto trailers, and vanish without anyone the wiser. Until the next night when they do it all over again!

To learn more about Eifers Civil, check out their website at https://www.eifers.com.au/