The solution for the site involved two Potain luffing jib tower cranes – one of which, the MR295, being capable of up to 16 t lifts with a 60 m jib length. The challenging site meant the crane foundations were supported on 12 screwpiles to 23 m deep. Avoiding buried services and retaining wall clashes involved rapid support during construction to adapt to the conditions.
BMC also provided design for the three ‘man-hoists’ (construction elevators or colloquially ‘Alimaks’) for further materials handling and access. Locating them adjacent to retaining walls and on suspended slabs required careful back-propping and surcharge loading checks. Smart design of the wall ties in collaboration with the contractor also allowed for construction to proceed without the hoist ties getting in the way.