Liebherr towers provide stable setting in Singapore

Hexacon Construction Pte Ltd chose two Liebherr 355 HC-L luffing jib for their stability when working next to one of Singapore's MRT metro stations, according to the manufacturer.

Main contractor Hexacon is building the Civic, Cultural, Retail & Entertainment Hub (CCRC) in the space limited One-North area of Singapore.

"We felt confident in investing in these two Liebherr cranes because of their reputation for reliability and safety," said Lim Eng Chye, Hexacon project manager.

"Even so, we have had to comply with extra safety requirements, in order to meet the very strict LTA (DBC) regulations regarding the use of cranes close to the MRT tracks and stations.

"They stipulate a safety zone of 60 m from the railway line within which, if you are using a tower crane, there must be no possibility of the crane falling towards the line

"As the two Liebherrs are within the safety zone, we have complied with this regulation and tied them with tie-back cables with ground anchors," Lim added.

The 1.93ha site has a maximum fross floor area (GFA) of 62,000 square metres, of which a maximum 24,000 square metres GFA can be allowed for retail use. The remaining GFA is to be dedicated to civic and cultural uses, including a 5,000 seat auditorium, outdoor amphitheatres and exhibition and function halls.

The two Liebherr cranes are currently free-standing, but are shortly due to begin climbing with the structure. This will entail one horizontal tie for each crane to the building, but eventually two ties will be needed.

The finished height of the structure will be 75 m, and the two cranes are each fitted with 50 m jibs that can be raised between 15º and 70º to enable full 360º slewing.

The cranes are lifting loads of up to 12 tonnes, much of the material being modular steel structures.

There is an additional non-Liebherr luffing jib crane on the site, and this will be used to dismantle the two Liebherr units. A 500 tonne mobile crane will then be used to take down the non-Liebherr crane.

Lim said Hexacon is confident the two Liebherr cranes will remain in its fleet for use on further projects.