What is involved in the dismantlement and re-erection of steel structures?
An experienced team can plan a turnkey project with the hoisting and loading, transportation, dismantling and re-erection of steel structures. This means the taking apart of an existing structure, if necessary transporting and re-erecting it, or the erection of a new steel structure on site.
This process will possibly include:
- the loading of materials onto a truck for transportation,
- the crane rigging and lifting of steel materials, which are essential parts of the steel erection process, and
- experienced crane riggers to hoist and install complex steel structures in manufacturing plants, factories and dairies.
Some of the factors to consider if you need someone to dismantle your steel structure or handle steel erection are:
- Can the project be managed and handled by one team from start to finish?
- Does the team include their project experience in the planning stage, and are they able to dismantle the structure?
- Is the dismantlement, transport and re-erection (at possibly a new site) handled by the same team?
- What safety standards does the team follow and what is their safety record?
To accomplish a project safely, a rigging engineer may also be required. A rigging engineer has a specialised function, and not a lot of companies have dedicated engineers on their staff, because not every project justifies it. The engineer can sometimes be involved in conjunction with engineering, design and procurement on a project, or perhaps just one aspect of the project such as construction. One of the central points is to pre-plan the work correctly. The engineer will also likely be on site to ensure that the haul and lifting equipment is correctly used to make the project feasible.
The lack of an engineer can cause project issues to arise, which could cost the company in both materials and time, which ultimately mean that the project budget is effected.
Our team took on a project that is a prime example of a dismantling and re-erection project in Pietermaritzburg. See the details of the project below:
Dismantling and re-erection of I-Beams and steel girders
What was the project brief?
What major equipment was used for the installation?
- Crane truck 50txm,
- riggers,
- lifting gear,
- forklifts,
- fitters, and
- magbase drills to lengthen and bolt together vertical I-Beam uprights, effectively doubling the building height to a double storey.
What obstacles were there?
How were these challenges overcome?
What time period did the project take?
Safety on projects
- Triple and quadruple sling attachment points to ensure safe mass loads.
- Avoiding shock or side loadings.
- Carefully determined balance points to prevent any risk of longitudinal or vertical tilt.
- Adequate provision for load capacity and weight factors.
- A factored in safety margin when specifying the rigging and lifting resources.
- Lifting equipment carries the current test and examination certifications.