Construction and infrastructure company Sir Robert McAlpine is using three Potain tower cranes from its extensive fleet in an ambitious development in the heart of London’s financial district.
The 170-metre dual high-rise mixed-use building is scheduled for completion in 2027 and offers multiple unique challenges, including extreme working heights and limited access in the densely populated area.
Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions Team, which provides custom design and lift planning services to customers, worked closely with Sir Robert McAlpine during the planning of the project and throughout the cranes’ commissioning to design specialised crane bases and anchorage solutions for safety and efficiency.
Steve Wright, Commercial Plant Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine, said planning began in 2021, owing to the complexity of the development.
“The design included specialised crane bases and non-standard anchorage solutions and the developer was confident it would deliver the best result,” Wright said.
“We selected Potain luffing-jib tower cranes for their strong lifting capacities and fast operation, which are crucial for a project of this scale. Our team ran several scenario plans to find the right combination for handling heavy loads in limited space. Their out-of-service radii also provided the flexibility needed in this tight setting.”
Overcoming engineering challenges
The three Potain tower cranes on the project comprise one MR 418 and two MR 225 A models. To fit them within the footprint of the project, the MR 418 was installed on an elevated platform, and the other two were positioned on the 13th and 15th floors.
The lattice steel platform supporting the MR 418 was mounted on vertical legs, which connect directly to the building’s piles, ensuring efficient load transfer. This whole installation phase required meticulous planning and specific connection points to attach the cranes to the building as construction advances.
“I would say this is one of the most complex projects our team has worked on, but developing the solution was a great engineering achievement,” said Jako Van der Walt, Lead Design Engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine.
“We received excellent support from Manitowoc Lift Solutions to create the desired crane bases and ensure we could properly tie off to the building where needed.”
The MR 418 on-site is equipped with Potain’s Cab-IN personnel elevator, which transports operators or technicians from top to bottom – an essential feature for a 150 metre tall development. This project marks the company’s first use of these.
All cranes arrived on site in early August 2024 and will remain in use until mid-2025, lifting and positioning heavy loads such as steel components and the roof’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing elements.
The 24 tonne capacity Potain MR 418 is fitted with 50 metres of jib from its maximum of 60 metres. The Potain MR 225 A cranes are 14 tonne capacity cranes working with 45 metre and 50 metres of jib from their maximum of 55 metres.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news from Australasia’s lifting industry.
- Don’t miss a lift and subscribe to our monthly magazine.
- Download our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the crane industry.