Meva Formwork says that it has come up with an answer to the growing safety concerns in high-rise building projects with its MAC automatic climbing system.
The system offers a fully enclosed environment and worker protection for safe building with secure access even at dizzy heights.
The climbing platform is hydraulically pushed – not pulled – by up to 4 m in one lift and from a single remote control unit. The lift from one level to the next takes only 1 to 2 hours, combining high safety and high speed standards, says a spokesman for the company.
Speed advantage
International high-rise projects are time-sensitive. The MAC requires only 5 to 6 working days per level rather than the usual 5 to 8. This speeds up the building process substantially, offering a distinct scheduling advantage, he says.
In addition, the suspended forming shutters made up of aluminium, steel or wooden whalers are so slim that an increased working area and easy access are guaranteed, says the spokesman. “A completely independent three-way adjustment on both the internal and the external shutters ensures greater accuracy and speed and the adjustment can be easily done by hand.”
Since the MAC climbs without crane, its working is independent of weather or wind velocities at great heights. This also means that the climbing system does not require climbing rails or intermediate anchoring.
Next lift next day
The entire MAC superstructure is supported by independent structural members installed between the shear key beam and the gridwork. “There is no reliance on the most recent concrete pour: the jacking beams are supported by concrete that has already set and the structure can be lifted a day after pouring. Both the jacking beam and the shear key beam fit into one and the same pocket, improving speed and flexibility. Premoulded pockets are placed into each newly built section of a building’s central core and provide support positions for shear key and jacking beams. The pocket moulds are removable after jacking and can be re-used,” says the spokesman.
Heavy-duty hydraulic rams
“Long-stroke, heavy-duty hydraulic rams placed between the jacking beam and the gridwork raise the entire superstructure upward as well as levelling it,” says the spokesman. “The number of rams varies with the size and complexity of the central core’s design. A range of safety features is integrated, such as non-return valves, a complete backup hydraulic system as well as non-return ratchet locks on each ram. The jacking beams (base beams) are placed in the lower shear key pockets. They support the hydraulic rams, shear key beams, dropper columns and gridwork. The jump form’s superstructure is raised to each new level from the jacking beams. The shear key beams are secondary beams which are raised by hydraulic rams to each new level of the core. These beams then support the entire system for the raising of the jacking beams. They are also used to stabilise the system’s superstructure.”
Easy access, free top deck
The top deck is free of jacking masts and other mechanical obstacles, protecting all operational equipment from concrete spills and possible crane damage. In addition, it offers space for building materials and gives easy access for work during, and control over, the concrete pour. The raising is also controlled from this deck.
“Drop shutters give unparalleled access for the placing of steel reinforcement, penetrations and build-in items. Secure trailing platforms for access by other trades – such as lift installers – eliminate the need for secondary access systems,” the spokesman concludes.
