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First UK application of Doka SKE 100 automatic climbing system, trapezoidal windshield and self-climbing concrete boom minimises core construction time and maximises safety at UK’s tallest residential building, the 48-storey Beetham Tower in Manchester.
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The first UK application of Doka SKE 100 automatic climbing system, trapezoidal windshield and self-climbing concrete boom minimises core construction time and maximises safety at UK’s tallest residential building.
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Conventional formwork methods wouldn’t really cut it on this project. MPB Structures needed a system that would ensure rapid progress in all kinds of weather without compromising safety. In addition, the system had to be able to accommodate changes in the cores’ shape and door-opening positions, especially from level 25 upwards. These demanding requirements provided formwork specialist Doka UK with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of its SKE 100 automatic climbing system and trapezoidal windshield for the first time in the UK.
The SKE 100 system incorporates a reinforcement scaffold that goes on top of the main platform, allowing for two additional platform levels. The top platform provides space for operators to preassemble the reinforcing steel while, at the same time, operators on the level below position the pre-assembled reinforcement and carry out concrete pouring. The third platform is for operating the formwork and the bottom level for operating the auto climbers.
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| The SKE 100 system incorporates a reinforcement scaffold that goes on top of the main platform, allowing for two additional platform levels. MPB Structures is also using Doka SKE 100 automatic climbers to raise a 28.6 tonne concrete placing boom. The 32m-long boom is mounted on a frame in one of the core cells, from where it can sweep both cores and the floor slab below. |
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The entire self-climbing system for each core is enclosed on the outside with a 12m-high trapezoidal sheet. This fully closes off the work area, protecting operators from bad weather and unsettling high wind forces that will be prevalent as the core gets higher.
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This set-up allows MPB Structures to work on all stages of the core construction cycle simultaneously, without operators on one stage having to wait for operators on another stage to finish. For the inside walls of the cores, MPB Structures is using a combination of four Doka SKE 50 automatic climbers in the larger cells and six shaft platforms in the cells that are too small to accommodate the SKE 50. When complete, the 48-storey Beetham Tower will stretch 159m into the skyline of Manchester city centre, with a glass “blade” extending the height by a further 11m.
Pat Boyle is senior contract manager for MPB. He says, “Using the Doka automatic climbing system enabled us to meet tight schedules. The wide working platforms make it easier for us to operate the equipment, and the enclosure sheeting means we can carry on working in bad weather conditions. The biggest benefit to MPB of the enclosed platforms was the major increase in a safer working environment created, whilst also enabling greater productivity due to the improved working conditions.
”Another big improvement is the system for using Doka automatic climbers to climb the concrete placing boom. The procedure for raising the boom runs smoothly and is combined with the normal climbing operation. This saves time as it eliminates the additional operations normally required for moving the boom.”
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| When complete, the 48-storey Beetham Tower will stretch 159m into the skyline of Manchester city centre, with a glass “blade” extending 11m. Artist’s impression by Ian Simpson Architects. |
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