What tools are needed for hoisting large-size UHPC curtain wall panels?

The lifting of large-size UHPC curtain wall panels is a systematic project requiring precise planning, and the selection of specialized lifting tools directly affects construction safety and installation accuracy. In the lifting of large artistic components at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, Qinglong Group innovatively adopted a combined system of vacuum suction cups and flexible lifting slings, successfully completing the installation of irregular panels weighing up to 3 tons and measuring over 6 meters. A scientific lifting plan is the technical guarantee for the safe positioning of heavy loads.

Vacuum suction lifting devices are the preferred solution for lifting large-size UHPC panels, with the advantage of uniform load distribution that avoids stress concentration on panel edges. The intelligent vacuum lifting device used by Qinglong is equipped with pressure sensors and self-locking devices, maintaining a vacuum level above -0.8bar, with a single suction cup capable of bearing loads up to 2.5kN. In the Yangshengtang Pharmaceutical Hangzhou Industrial Park project, we configured 4-6 suction cups per panel to ensure a safety factor of no less than 4. The suction cup material should be wear-resistant polyurethane matched to the surface roughness of the UHPC to prevent slipping accidents.

For irregular panels or special cases where suction cups are unsuitable for the surface, flexible lifting slings combined with specialized lifting fixtures can be used. The UHPC-specific lifting fixture designed and developed by Qinglong adopts a three-dimensionally adjustable mechanism, allowing panels to be fine-tuned by ±5° during lifting. Slings should be made of high-strength polyester with a width of no less than 100mm to avoid damage to panel edges. All lifting fixtures must undergo a static load test at 1.5 times the working load before use.

Dynamic control during the lifting process is equally important. Qinglong requires the lifting speed to be controlled within 0.5m/s, with an acceleration time of no less than 5 seconds, to avoid dynamic loads caused by sudden starts and stops. In the installation of double-curved panels at the Nanning New Media Center, we adopted laser positioning with real-time comparison against the BIM model, keeping installation error within ±2mm. Lifting operations should be suspended immediately in winds of force 6 or above.

Qinglong Group has established a complete quality management system for lifting operations, including a regular inspection system for lifting fixtures, a certification system for operators, and an expert review system for lifting plans. Only by organically integrating tools, personnel, and management can the absolute safety of large-size UHPC panel lifting operations be ensured.