15.01.2016
Crane on stilts
A photo sent in by a UK reader shows a self-erecting tower crane with a natural base with a difference
We have no idea when and where this was, It looks as though the tower crane was set up and the excavation team worked around it, although there are some signs that it was a bit more planned with the concrete cruciform on top of the rock pillars – and perhaps those are cast piles inside the natural rock cladding??
Please register to see all images
Interesting base - but is it safe?
Is it safe? Was it worth all the effort? Is it a Death Wish?
Have a safe weekend
It looks to me like this machine may be on caissons that were excavated around. it might explain the rough appearance. The tops look like preformed round disposable concrete form tubes, and, if they are caissons, there is a likelihood there is reinforcement within.
With the lack of egress/access to machine evident, it seems to indicate that the machine is not yet in service.
trevor-jepson24
I don't think thats going to be greased or checked until the building comes up to meet it.
The real question here is why such a special base on stilts was needed, why an alternative crane couldn't be deployed in a more conventional set up configuration, and who will take responsibility for this strange foundation configuration should something go wrong and the crane collapse. Also, how does such a configuration on stilts restrict an operator's ability to carry out daily checks on the crane's systems to ensure that it's safe to operate