Launching gantry

Launching gantry

A launching gantry is a highly mechanized system used in construction to support formwork and transport concrete bridge segments from one span to another, spanning the distance between a finished section of the bridge and the next pier. This system allows for the construction of bridges without the use of temporary piers, making it ideal for areas prone to landslides.From: Construction Equipment Management [2019], The Integrative Design Method for Bridges [2018]

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Published in John E. Schaufelberger, Giovanni C. Migliaccio, Construction Equipment Management, 2019

John E. Schaufelberger, Giovanni C. Migliaccio

A launching gantry crane (also known as a launching girder or bridge erection crane) is a special purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction. It is used to lift, carry, and place precast bridge segments. The main girder, as shown in Figure 17.13, is fabricated from welded steel giving it low weight and great strength. The launching gantry is used to place concrete bridge segments by spanning the distance between a finished section of the bridge and the next pier. While spanning the distance, the launching gantry picks up each bridge segment and sets it into place as illustrated in Figure 17.14. The segments are then epoxied together and post-tensioned into place. Following the successful placement of the bridge segments to the next pier, the entire launching gantry is then moved forward to the next span.

The Integrative Design Method for Bridges

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Journal Information

Published in Structural Engineering International, 2018

Philippe Menétrey

Having established the design strategies, the integrative design method was used to integrate all requirements of the bridge design into a single unified structure. First, a constant cross section was chosen for the box girders and piers. Then, a long span of 57 m was chosen to reduce the number of foundations required. Finally, it was decided that a launching gantry should be used for construction, as this highly mechanized system supports the formwork and transports it from one span to another, meaning that the area prone to landslides can be crossed without the use of temporary piers.

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Cranes

The Integrative Design Method for Bridges