how do cranes build themselves

The Marvels of Self-Building Cranes

Cranes have always been a fundamental part of construction projects. They're used to lift and move heavy objects, significantly aiding in the creation of skyscrapers, bridges, and other structures. However, have you ever wondered how these towering machines are built? Well, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll delve deep into the marvels of self-building cranes.

The Basics of Crane Building

First things first, what is a self-building crane? It's a type of tower crane that has a built-in climbing system, allowing it to add sections to itself as the building grows taller. When constructing a building, the crane is brought to the site of the project in its short form. It's then assembled on the ground by a team of highly-skilled engineers and built into its maximum height for that specific construction project.

The Components That Make Up a Self-Building Crane

So, what exactly makes up a self-building crane? There are several components that are crucial to the crane's operation:

1. Mast: The mast is the vertical, towering part of the crane around which the crane rotates. It's made up of several sections bolted together, with the mast's height determined by the height of the building it's being used to construct.

2. Jib: The jib is the horizontal arm of the crane, which connects to the top of the mast. It can pivot up and down, with its length determined by the necessary range of the crane on the job site.

3. Climbing Frame: The climbing frame attaches to the mast's top and bottom and uses hydraulic jacks to raise or lower the tower crane's mast section by section.

4. Hoist Unit: The hoist unit is the part of the crane that lifts and lowers the loads off the ground (or different areas of the building). It is typically positioned at the top of the tower crane, and its capacity varies based on the crane's design.

Procedure of Self-Building Cranes

The process of a self-building crane is quite fascinating. The crane's base is fixed to the ground and its mast is secured afterward. During the initial construction phase, the crane is built up manually. However, as the building grows, the crane becomes too short and must be extended. This is when the climbing frame comes into action. It allows the crane to grow section by section and eventually reach the desired height.Once the crane reaches its full capacity, its operational mode is set up, and it starts performing the duties assigned to it. When the time comes to dismantle the crane, this is done in reverse order. The crane is lowered down, the sections of the mast are detached, and everything is dismantled, leaving nothing but clean, bare ground.

The Advantages of Self-Building Cranes

Self-building cranes have been around since the early 1930s, and their modern counterparts are even more impressive. However, why are they advantageous in the construction industry?For starters, self-building cranes are cost-effective since setting up and dismantling traditional cranes takes a long time and requires additional equipment. Building a crane with a climbing frame on the construction site eliminates the need for these additional steps.Moreover, they're ideal for tall buildings, where dismantling and rebuilding a crane at various heights can significantly slow down the construction process and result in downtime.

Conclusion

In summary, self-building cranes are an essential part of today's construction industry. They provide a cost-effective, efficient, and convenient method of building tall structures. With this article, you now have a better understanding of the self-building crane's components, how they operate, and their advantages. Truly, self-building cranes are an amazing marvel of modern construction technology.