How to Design Lifting Plans for Large UHPC Artistic Shapes? Lifting Safety and Qinglong Group Heavy Component Installation Guide

The lifting scheme design for large UHPC artistic forms (typically referring to those weighing ≥3 tons or measuring ≥6 meters) is a systematic engineering undertaking involving "structural analysis, lifting point design, lifting equipment selection, and safety control." Qinglong Group has distilled a standardized lifting design process from projects such as the 30-meter-span wave-shaped roof units (8 tons each) at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center and the large translucent sculpture at Shanghai Century Plaza: first, finite element analysis is used to determine the component's center of gravity and the internal force distribution under lifting conditions, optimizing the number of lifting points (typically spaced ≤1.5 meters apart) and their positions to avoid excessive bending moments; then, lifting slings or specialized lifting devices (such as vacuum lifters) with a safety factor ≥4 are selected, and the rated lifting capacity of the required crane is calculated (at least 1.5 times the weight of the component); finally, a detailed lifting operation plan is formulated, covering the lifting path, wind speed limits (typically ≤10m/s), personnel assignments, and emergency response plans. In the lifting of the large entrance canopy at MixC One in Wuxiang, Nanning, we used dual-crane tandem lifting and spreader beam technology to precisely position an irregularly shaped component weighing up to 12 tons, with deviations controlled within ±3mm.

Lifting Point Design and Structural Reinforcement Are Key

Lifting points must be located in areas of the component with high rigidity, or on specially provided stiffening ribs. The tensile strength of embedded lifting rings or dedicated embedded lifting inserts must be rigorously calculated, with a dynamic coefficient taken into account (typically 1.5). For components with irregular shapes or an off-center center of gravity, calculations or counterweight adjustments are required to ensure a stable posture during lifting. Qinglong Group applies redundant design to critical components, such as providing both primary and auxiliary lifting points, to enhance safety.

Lifting Equipment and Rigging Must Be Properly Matched

Truck cranes, crawler cranes, or tower cranes are selected according to the component's weight, dimensions, installation height, and site conditions. The choice of rigging is crucial: for components with smooth, even surfaces, vacuum lifters are an ideal choice, as their suction force is evenly distributed and unlikely to damage the component; for irregular components, custom steel lifting frames are needed to transfer the force system through multiple lifting points. All of our lifting devices are inspected regularly, and operators are certified for their roles.

Safety Management Throughout the Entire Process Is the Lifeline

Before lifting, a safety and technical briefing must be conducted and command signals clearly defined. During the lifting process, dedicated personnel are assigned to supervise, monitoring wind speed and lifting status in real time. When positioning, movements must be smooth and slow: first initial positioning, then fine adjustment, and finally complete fixing. Qinglong Group's lifting schemes for large components always put safety first, and through rigorous processes and extensive experience, we have ensured the successful implementation of countless major projects.