Enerpac jack-up system lifts 220t bridge deck

30 March 2023

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Belgium-based Aertssen Cranes has completed the installation of a new railway bridge for Eiffage Génie Civil in Laudun L'Ardoise near Avignon, France, using an Enerpac JS-250 jack-up system to raise the 220t bridge deck for self-propelled modular trailer (SPMT) installation.

Measuring 24.80m long and 4.80m wide, the bridge deck was assembled on-site resting on two header beams. Aertssen Cranes was tasked with first positioning two abutments, each weighing 350t, and then installing the bridge deck, over a weekend.

The two JS-250 lifting beams were connected to the header beams supporting the bridge deck by round synthetic rope slings. It was then raised to 10m, lifting the bridge deck to 7.8m. An SPMT equipped with climbing jacks was positioned under the bridge deck. After lowering onto the SPMT, the deck was transported and installed on the abutments.

“The JS-250 jack-up system's small footprint makes it advantageous for use in a confined construction site like we had here,” said Manuel Aertssen, business development manager, Aertssen Group. “At the request of the main contractor we needed to execute a test lift of all our equipment 48 hours before the final installation with SPMTs. Due to high winds, we were able to lower the bridge deck to a safer height without losing valuable time during the final installation preparations.”

The Enerpac JS-Series jack-up system is a multi-point lifting system comprising four jack-up towers, one positioned under each corner of a load. The lifting frame of each jack-up tower contains four hydraulic cylinders, which lift and stack steel barrels. The load is lifted in increments as barrels are inserted via an automated system and stacked, forming the lifting towers. Managed by a single operator, each tower’s lifting and lowering operations occur simultaneously, while the jack-up’s synchronous technology maintains the balance of the load.

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Enerpac JS-250 jack-up system holds the 220t bridge deck at 10m.

The bridge deck is lowered on to the SPMT for installation.

Raising the bridge deck with slings attached to the jack-up header beam.