Becht Dimensional Technology Mitigates Potential Problems In Heavy Lifts
Written by Joe Collins & Derek Paterson
Safety and precision are of the utmost importance of any heavy lift operation. Heavy Lift Field Advisors are tasked with measuring clearances to assure the load will clear obstructions, a step often done by hand with a tape measure. Moreover, Field Advisors are also charged with assuring the location of the crane matches the plan. It is critical that the crane is on the precise radius for the capacity charts to be valid – too far away and the crane will not have sufficient capacity to handle the load; too close and crane can’t boom up high enough to place the load. Again, these verifications are often done by hand with tape measure. In this article, we talk about specific heavy lift problems that could have been avoided by integrating Dimensional Control with the projects.
So – What can happen without precise measurement?
Example 1
A 1,500-ton reactor lift at a Gulf Coast Refinery provides an example of what can go wrong when accurate verification is not performed. The anchor bolts, as installed, were rotated one half hole off because the template used to install the bolts was rotated during the initial lay out. This error was discovered with the load in the air! Ultimately, the only choice was to set the load with the vessel rotated to go on the anchors but rotationally out of position. This misalignment necessitated a major cost increase due to re-design and the fabrication of new piping.
Example 2
Installation clashes can be involved in the setting of a new reactor as well. The nozzles of the reactor to the left did not clear the structural steel of the existing structure as the load was lowered into position. Becht’s Heavy Lift experts had to hold the 1,000-ton load in place while ironworkers removed the steel beams below. This created a potentially dangerous situation for the ironworkers that could have been made safer had they known the potential clash beforehand and left the beams out.
In both of the above examples, the General Contractor was responsible for measurement and correct alignment. And, despite best efforts, tape measures and strings are not as accurate as Dimensional Control.
Typical errors our experts have witnessed over the years causing significant delays in schedule are:
- Incorrect foundation bolt pattern(s)
- Alignment errors caused by unlevel foundations positioned on wrong bolts
- Fabrication errors
- Installation clashes
Now Integrate Dimensional Control with Heavy Lift and many of these problems are solved!
As a company, Becht Engineering comprises many different service disciplines, each supported by our industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Each service provides value to our clients in different ways. Becht is often able to provide additional value to clients in combining our expertise for a single project. In combining the expertise of our Heavy Lift Division with our Dimensional Control specialists, Becht Engineering can provide our clients with the confidence that for a critical heavy lift, there will be no unforeseen delays caused by fabrication errors or details omitted from the project lift plans.
Becht’s Heavy Lift specialists have been able to utilize the capabilities of our Dimensional Control experts (along with other SME’s), to make many of these verifications using updated, precision-guided technologies. Other reasons to use Dimensional Control during a heavy lift include:
- Removal of dimensional busts on nozzles
- Removal of dimensional busts on footings
- Alignment errors disappear
- Assurance that all possible piping is prefabricated thereby minimizing field welds
In a future article we will discuss the use of Becht’s Laser Scanning technology to map a heavy haul route through a process plant to ensure the equipment can traverse a predetermined route safely.
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