Construction of pipework

[gravitate]

We have a section of pipework which is 9 tons in weight. it has to be lifted into position along with 4 2 ton tanks. The pipe is 300DN. We have to put in 2 runway beams for the purpose of construction. Would it be cheaper to chop the section of pipework up int 4 pieces and lift them up with smaller lifting equiptment or design the lifting beams for 9 tones and lift it in one go?

 

[zdas04]

How high do you have to go and how far do you have to boom out?

If I assume you mean "tonnes" instead of "tons" (since you specified 300 DN instead of 12-inch), then you are talking about 14-15 joints of standard wall pipe. We lower that length with 3-4 side booms all the time, no big deal. If you have to lift it very high or with a considerable boom then it will be pretty expensive to stage 3-4 50 ton cranes to set it in place, but that might be less expensive than cutting it up and re-testing it (is your pipe rack adequate for a new hydrotest?)

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

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[gravitate]

The situation will be inside a building and the boom is simply lifting it up 11m then horizontally placing it insitue which will be around 10-15 metres. I am not designing the lift just trying to work out the most practical. As I said its a one off installation. The life time of the plant doesn't warrant maintenance. We will be lifting it up and receiving it on a ledge then move it somehow into place. That's why I wanted runway beams as once lifted it will have to travel 10-15 meters.
Will the heavy lifting equipment be cheaper than chopping the pipe work up, testing it (ndt). Yes we have to squeeze it and possible helium test it

 

[LittleInch]

Gravitate,

With respect, I really don't understand how anyone can actually give you any guidance on such a complex question with no drawings or pictures. If you chop the pipework into sections how are you going to weld it back together some 11 m in the air??

Sorry, this one just sounds too hard.

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[gravitate]

Heello again. Lets just say this is a big concrete room with 2 levels in it, ground level and 1st floor. The pipework fits on the first floor but the only access is through the ground floor. We are therefore suggesting using runway beams and an articulated rolling beam to lift the 9 tonne pipework from ground and transfer it to the first floor where it will be welded in place. My question is what is the best option which is most economical.

1. Design the lifting beams to take 9 tonne and lift it as one section
2. Design the lifting beam to take 4.5 tonne and cut the pipework in 2 pieces and lift (creating an additional but welds and lifting man hours
3. Design the lifting beam to take 2.5 tonnes and lift the pipework in 4 sections (again creating additional butts and lifting man hours)

Remember this is a one off lift