Slope reinforcement is a critical part of safe urban development - especially in mountainous regions like South Korea's Gyeonggi Province. At a residential construction site in Gwangju, SamBaek Construction is using Atlas Copco's X28 Stage V portable air compressor to carry out micropiling for slope reinforcement and seismic retrofitting with greater speed, reliability, and compliance.
The project, located in the Gosan 2 District, began in May 2025 and involves building retaining walls to stabilise steep terrain for future housing.
In densely developed areas, earth retaining work is no longer just a preparatory step, it is a core process that directly impacts the safety and efficiency of the entire construction project.
A strategic first investment
SamBaek Construction had previously relied on rental compressors. After consistently seeing stable performance from Atlas Copco units on site, the company decided to make its first direct purchase through the Portable Air Division within the Power Technique Business Area at Atlas Copco Korea.
The Atlas Copco X28 is the first Atlas Copco air compressor we've purchased
"The Atlas Copco X28 is the first Atlas Copco air compressor we've purchased, and it has exceeded our expectations," Seungheon Choi, CEO of SamBaek Construction, said. "It delivers the pressure and flow we need to complete slope reinforcement work more quickly and efficiently, helping us reduce project timelines and improve overall productivity."
Power and versatility for urban construction
The X28 offers a broad pressure range of 16–30 bar (232-435psi), making it suitable for a wide variety of applications, including earth anchors, nailing, rock bolts, micropiling, shotcrete, and groundwater development. This flexibility allows SamBaek Construction to use a single compressor across multiple phases of slope reinforcement and seismic retrofitting.
Previously, the company used a 17–21 bar (247-305psi) compressor with a flow rate of 900cfm (25.5cu.m/min), but it struggled to deliver the speed and depth required for efficient reinforcement in granite-rich terrain.
"Compared to our previous unit, the Atlas Copco X28 delivers greater output and work efficiency," Choi explained. "It's helped us complete reinforcement tasks faster, which lowers labour costs and improves the overall construction budget."
Urban-ready and quiet
Urban development sites demand equipment that minimises noise. The X28's Stage V engine and low noise make it ideal for use in residential zones, where regulatory compliance and community impact are key concerns.
"The Atlas Copco X28 is well-suited for urban construction sites," Jaehoon Ahn, product marketing specialist at Atlas Copco Korea, explained. "Its low-emission engine and quiet operation help contractors meet specific regulations while maintaining high productivity."
Smarter fuel efficiency with ECO mode
In slope reinforcement projects, compressors often run idle during casing and pipe welding steps. For SamBaek Construction, this idle time accounts for nearly three out of eight working hours per day, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption.
To address this, Atlas Copco's Power Technique Service (PTS) team provided on-site training on the ECO mode feature, which helps reduce fuel usage during unloaded operation.
"By moving from rental to ownership, SamBaek Construction is gaining long-term control over operating costs," Moosun Park, business line manager for Portable Air Division, Atlas Copco Korea, said. "With features like ECO mode and AirXpert, the Atlas Copco X28 helps reduce fuel consumption and total cost of ownership—while delivering the performance needed on site."
