DOKA SYSTEM FORMWORK

Doka System Components

            The various basic components that make up the various DOKA system are as follows:

1. Doka formwork beams

2. Doka formwork sheets
3. Dokadur panels
4. Doka floor props
5. Form ties and suspension cones
6. Multi-trip packaging

1. Doka formwork beams

           
            The core of the system lies in the usage of an Engineered timber component, the  H-
Beam.

The H-beams are manufactured in a modern automated plant at Pondicherry under strict quality
control the flanges are made of seasoned chemically treated timber. The web is made of boiling
water proof ply wood and joined with the flange by the unique finger jointing method. The H-
beams thus manufactured are  light, dimensionally stable and retains its structural properties over
a period of time even after repeated usage. It is more predictable, easy to design and use, The
number of reuses of H-Beams is more than 100 times (8 times that of conventional timber) and it
consumes only 40% of timber volume required.

The H-beams are available in two size namely in H-16 - 16 cms  depth &  H-20 - 20 cms  depth, 
length varying between 1m to 6m.

Salient Feature

•          Reduction in consumption of timber.

•          Making work at site minimized.
•          No. of reuses more than 8 times that of conventional timber.
•          Dimensionally stable, uniform in size and consistent in strength.

Doka beam H20

Innovative end reinforcement .

 For less damage to the ends of the beams

 For outstanding durability
 Outstanding production level.

 Ensures uniformly high quality and load-bearing strength for safe and dependable usage
 Is the basis for the reliability of the Doka beam formwork and Dokaflex floor formwork
 From mechanical strenght grading

Practical marks for all standard lengths.

  As a grid for easy installation and checking of the Dokaflex 1-2-4 system
Doka beam H20 eco

Ends of beams bevelled for more strength but have no end reinforcement.

 Doka formwork sheets

Doka has an extensive range of formwork sheets for the most varied areas of application. All
sheets are made of glue-bonded layered wood and are extremely strong and dimensionally stable.

Formwork sheet 3-S Plus

Three-ply concrete-formwork sheet, made of

European spruce (picea abies), designed specially for building. Produces a uniform concrete
surface.

Surface: Synthetic melamine resin glue with PU sealant and light corundum sanding on one
side
Bonding: Boilproof and weatherproof
Edges:Impregnating emulsion,
Doka yellow
  Thicknesses: 21 and 27 mm
Formwork sheet 3-SO
 Three-ply concrete-formwork sheet, made of European spruce. Produces a uniform concrete
surface.

  Surface: Synthetic melamine resin glue

  Bonding: Boilproof and weatherproof
  Edges: Impregnating emulsion,
  Doka yellow
  Thicknesses: 21 and 27 mm

Dokaplex Multi-ply sheets

High-grade multi-ply sheet made of Finnish birch hardwood for use again and again. Produces a
high-quality, smooth concrete surface.

 Surface: Phenol-resin coating, 120 g/m²

 Bonding: Boil proof and weatherproof phenol-resin glue (BFU 100) to DIN 68705-T3
 Edges: Dispersion
 Thickness: 21 mm

3. Dokadur panels
Dokadur panels are the state of the art for floor-slab panels. All-round edge and surface sealing
dependably protects the panel against the wear and tear of everyday construction work.
Maximised number of reuses and best-quality concrete surfaces.
  From special surface sealing by means of PUR varnish and melamine resin coating with
precision-metered corundum sanding
 For improved safety at work, because risk of slipping is reduced
 From significantly reduced moisture absorption for much-reduced discolouration,
structuring and cracking

Big savings on costs

 From easy cleaning of the surfaces, ready for the next use
 From all-round edge protection made of high-grade PU
 For exact edges with minimal cleaning
 For low costs on account of easy and fast reconditioning of the edge

4. Doka Floor Props.

Doka floor props are the right choice for every application. High load-bearing strength plus
many practical details that help to make handling easier.
 The props are available in various sizes viz. CT-250,CT-300,CT-340 & CT-410. The
number indicates the extended length of props in cms.

 Carrying capacity is rated from 20 kN to 30 kN.

 The tripods make the props self standing for  easier and faster erection of the shuttering
system. The adjustments in height are obtained by operating the prop nut. The required
dimension in plan is obtained by side-lapping of the H-Beams in the primary or
secondary layer.

 A very accurate and convenient shutter is ready for tying of reinforcement and
concreting.
  The system also facilitates re-propping. By adopting the method of repropping it is
possible to reduce the total quantity of formwork materials significantly. The system is
very well adapted for use along with the L&T-Doka Beam Forming Supporting system.

5. Form ties and suspension cones

Doka has a complete range of tried-and-tested formtie solutions and dependable suspension
points for wall formwork, single-sided formwork and climbing formwork in uncompromising
quality for maximum safety.

Doka tie rods and anchor accessories

  Provide safety through superb manufacturing quality

  Reduce labour costs for installing ties, because a hammer is all that is needed for easy installation
  Are durable, robust and unaffected by dirt

Robustly dimensioned universal climbing cones

  ensure firm connections between structure and formwork

  for safety on high structures
  for all kinds of climbing formwork

Safe suspension solutions for working and protection platforms

  With different attachments to suit the application
  Ideally matched to the carrying capacity of Doka working and protection platforms
  Easy to install and reusable.

Multi-trip packaging
Multi-trip packaging such as containers, stacking pallets and skeleton transport boxes  keep
everything in place on the site, minimise time wasted searching for parts, and streamline the
storage and transport of system components, small items and accessories.

Savings on material overheads and labour costs.

 Through faster loading and unloading of system components, small items and accessories
 Through easy relocation to the next point where the parts are needed
 Through safe storage in stacks, particularly when space is at a premium

Stacking pallets 150 and 120 simplify the storage and transport of floor props, removable folding
tripods, formwork beams and Dokadur panels. The clamp-on wheels make the stacking pallets
mobile, so they can easily be steered through standard door-size openings in residential
accommodation projects.
Slipform Work vs. Jump Work: When to Use Them

Building with concrete has a few different options available, and knowing how to choose the
right option for your project can save you time and money. Hence, this article will explain the
basics of slipform and jump work, and indicate when it is recommended to use each one.

Slipform Work

Although slip forming sounds very similar to slipform kerbing, they are in fact quite different.
Slip forming is a way to economically construct high buildings or paved surfaces quickly. Slip
forming is much more complicated and difficult to get right than other concrete construction
methods, but for high buildings it is the most sensible option.

Slipform is good when the height of the construction is likely to be tall enough or wide enough to
justify the complexity and cost of setting up a slipform construction job.

Work on slipform sites requires 24 hour operation, and pouring must be taking place continually.
Because of the requirement for workers to operate outside of regular working hours, including
weekends, the costs are higher than jump form construction.

The bigger the job, the more suited it is to the slipform construction method. Some people
suggest that the minimums for considering slipform to be viable are either a height of 60m (213')
or a diameter of 20m (65').

The advantage of slipform construction is that it yields very high strength and does not contain
joins. It's most useful for structures that need that kind of strength and monolithic structure. For
example, silos, dams, and bridge towers are all objects that might be candidates for slipform
construction methods.

Jump Work

Jump work, also known as climbing form work, is suited to a wider range of construction
projects and is far more commonly seen than slipform construction.

Work progresses in stages, (in a climbing fashion) with the building completed layer by layer
from preformed concrete units. In rare cases there may be direct pour on site, but always in small
modular sections and never in a continuous pour as is the case with slipform construction.

While work can continue around the clock, it doesn't need to. Therefore, most construction sites,
unless they are on a tight deadline, don't operate outside regular working hours. Progress may
then be slower, but the cost is lowered in terms of the amount spent per work hour.
Scaffolds and cranes allow the work to progress, step by step, with the scaffolding being moved
upward as each successive layer of construction is completed. This means buildings constructed
in this way are always built from the bottom up, and work must progress in a linear way. Higher
sections can't be worked upon at all until the lower sections are completed.

Because the majority of construction is composed of modular units, work can be performed very
efficiently, and it is easy for workers to be trained to carry out their tasks. Safety is also generally
better on these construction sites than on slipform sites.

Finally, errors on a jump work site are relatively easy to correct, whereas on a slipform site they
are not. Equipment malfunctions on a jump work site are inconvenient, whereas on a slipform
site they can be disastrous.

Slipform Construction Technique – Uses, Components and Features

Slipform construction technique is an alternative for conventional formwork system which helps
in continuous vertical and horizontal construction. The slipform helps to conduct continuous
pouring of the concrete to the moving formwork. The process stops only when the required
length of casting is completed.
Development of Slipform Construction Technique

The property of cement and concrete to gain sufficient strength to stay in shape once cast within
the initial setting time of 30 minutes lead to the development of slip form construction technique.

Engineers took this property to develop a moving formwork system so that the concrete can be poured
continuously. The height of the formwork is designed such a way that, during the pouring of the upper
level formwork, the concrete poured in the below formwork would have gained initial setting. The
concrete exposed when the formwork moves up will remain firm.

Components of Slipform

The slipform system is designed with varied features. Generally, it consist of yoke legs. Yoke
legs are employed to lift and sustain the weight of the entire structure, so that it behaves as a
single unit. Yoke legs are also used to connect with the beams, scaffoldings and working
platforms to serve the supporting purpose.
To the yoke legs, walk-away brackets are connected. These walkway brackets will enable proper
placement of the concrete.

The whole slipform assembly is lifted by means of strand rods and lifting
jacks. These primary components are located at equal intervals so that the
uniform and good distribution of weight is performed. In some construction,
lifting process are supported by means of hydraulic pump components.
Features of Slipform Construction Technique

The slipform construction technique is a rapid and a economic construction method compared to
the conventional formwork technique. This helps to achieve huge cost saving. The technique is
best suitable for large building structures and bridges. When small structures are concerned, the
projects with identical geometry can be easily completed by slipform construction.

Continuous movement of formwork in upward direction is performed in slip form technique. The
movement is facilitated by hydraulic jacks and jack rods. In the construction of vertical
structures, the rate of rising the formwork upwards will be almost in the rate of 300mm per hour.
These rise with the help of the supports from other permanent parts of the building.

The technique of slipform construction will vary based on the type of structure constructed.
Based on this the frameworks required to support the system will vary.
Applications of Slip form Construction
1. Construction of Regular core high rise structures

The slipform construction technique used in high rise building construction will be performed by
vertically extruding the reinforced concrete section. Regular shaped core structures and buildings
are easily constructed by this method.

2. Slipform Technique for Chimney Construction

The slipform technique used for the construction of large chimneys, cooling towers and piers are
called as tapered slipform. This technique is used for constructing vertical structures with

varying wall thickness, or shapes or diameters.

3. Construction of Steel Tanks

Slipform construction technique helps to construct the large volume cisterns in industries and
factories in a cost effective way.

4. Construction of Water Towers

The slipform technique helps to construct the walls of water tanks uniformly  with better quality.
Tanks of thousands of litres are easily constructed by this method.

Advantages of Slipform Construction Technique

1. Non-stop Method of Construction

2. Increase rate of construction
3. Increase the productivity
4. Provide more working space
5. Creates safe work environment for the workers
6. Employs less accessory equipment
7. Increase flexibility in construction
8. Reduced Labor costs
 9. Scaffolding and temporary works in construction is reduced
10. Uniform wall sections and layouts are obtained

Disadvantages of Slip form Construction Technique

1. High –cost for initial setup

2. Requires Specialized workers and expertise
3. Need sophisticated Equipment
4. Dimensional Accuracy can go low in certain conditions

Modular buildings and modular homes are prefabricated buildings or houses that consist of
repeated sections called modules. "Modular" is a construction method that involves constructing
sections away from the building site, then delivering them to the intended site. Installation of the
prefabricated sections is completed on site. Prefabricated sections are sometimes placed using a
crane. The modules can be placed side-by-side, end-to-end, or stacked, allowing a variety of
configurations and styles.

Modular buildings, also called prefabricated homes or precision built homes, are built to equal or
higher standards as on-site stick-built homes. The building method is referred to as permanent
modular construction.

Material for stick built and modular homes are the same. Modular homes are not doublewides or
mobile homes. First, modular homes do not have axles or a metal frame, meaning that they are
typically transported on flat-bed trucks. Modular buildings must conform to all relevant local
building codes, while doublewides and mobile homes have metal under framing. Doublewides
and mobile homes made in the United States are required to conform to federal codes governed
by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.[1]

Uses
Modular buildings may be used for long-term, temporary or permanent facilities, such as construction
camps, schools and classrooms, civilian and military housing, and industrial facilities. Modular buildings
are used in remote and rural areas where conventional construction may not be reasonable or possible,
for example, the Halley VI accommodation pods used for a BAS Antarctic expedition. [2] Other uses have
included churches, health care facilities, sales and retail offices, fast food restaurants and cruise ship
construction. They can also be used in areas that have weather concerns, such as hurricanes.

Construction process

Construction is offsite, using lean manufacturing techniques to prefabricate single or multi-story

buildings in deliverable module sections. Permanent Modular Construction (PMC) buildings are
manufactured in a controlled setting and can be constructed of wood, steel, or concrete. Modular
components are typically constructed indoors on assembly lines. Modules' construction may take
as little as ten days but more often one to three months. PMC modules can be integrated into site
built projects or stand alone and can be delivered with MEP, fixtures and interior finishes.
The buildings are 60% to 90% completed offsite in a factory-controlled environment, and
transported and assembled at the final building site. This can comprise the entire building or be
components or subassemblies of larger structures. In many cases, modular contractors work with
traditional general contractors to exploit the resources and advantages of each type of
construction. Completed modules are transported to the building site and assembled by a crane.[3]
Placement of the modules may take from several hours to several days.

Permanent modular buildings are built to meet or exceed the same building codes and standards
as site-built structures and the same architect-specified materials used in conventionally
constructed buildings are used in modular construction projects. PMC can have as many stories
as building codes allow. Unlike relocatable buildings, PMC structures are intended to remain in
one location for the duration of their useful life.

Advantages

Modular buildings are argued to have advantages over conventional buildings, for a variety of
reasons.

 Speed of construction/faster return on investment. Modular construction allows for the

building and the site work to be completed simultaneously. According to some materials, this
can reduce the overall completion schedule by as much as 50%. This also reduces labor,
financing and supervision costs. To save even more time and money, nearly all design and
engineering disciplines are part of the manufacturing process. Also unique to modular
construction is the ability to simultaneously construct a building’s floors, walls, ceilings, rafters,
and roofs. During site-built construction, walls cannot be set until floors are in position, and
ceilings and rafters cannot be added until walls are erected. On the other hand, with modular
construction, walls, floors, ceilings, and rafters are all built at the same time, and then brought
together in the same factory to form a building. This process can allow modular construction
times of half that of conventional, stick-built construction.
 Indoor construction. Assembly is independent of weather, which can increase work efficiency
and avoids damaged building material.
 Ability to service remote locations. Particularly in countries in which potential markets may be
located far from industrial centers, such as Australia, there can be much higher costs to build a
site-built house in a remote area or an area experiencing a construction boom such as mining
towns. Modular buildings are also beneficial in providing medical and sanitary facilities where
time, space, and money are an issue.[4]
 Low waste. With the same plans being constantly built, the manufacturer has records of exactly
what quantity of materials are needed for a given job. With the consistency, builders can design
systems that use common lengths of lumber, wallboard, etc., cut items with maximum
efficiency, or be able to order special lengths in bulk. While waste from a site-built dwelling may
typically fill several large dumpsters, construction of a modular dwelling generates much less
waste. According to the UK group WRAP, up to a 90% reduction in materials can be achieved
through the use of modular construction. Materials minimized include: wood pallets, shrink
wrap, cardboard, plasterboard, timber, concrete, bricks, and cement. [5]
 Environmentally friendly construction process. Modular construction reduces waste and site
disturbance compared to site-built structures. The controlled environment of the factory allows
for more accurate construction while allowing the extra materials to be recycled in-house. [6]
  Flexibility. One can continually add to a modular building, including creating high rises. [7] When
the needs change, modular buildings can be disassembled and the modules relocated or
refurbished for their next use reducing the demand for raw materials and minimizing the
amount of energy expended to create a building to meet the new need. In essence, the entire
building can be recycled in some cases.
 Quality. Combining traditional building techniques, quality manufacturing and third-party
agencies who offer random inspections, testing, and certification services for quality control,
commercial modular buildings are built in strict accordance with appropriate local, state, and
national regulations and codes. Due to the need to transport modules to the final site, each
module must be built to independently withstand travel and installation requirements. Thus the
final module-to-module assembly of independently durable components can yield a final
product that is more durable than site-built structures. Modular buildings often use Structural
Insulated Panels (SIPs) in construction, which offer a range of advantages over traditional
building materials. SIPs panels are a light yet durable combination of panel board and either
closed-cell polyurethane (PU) or expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating foam. They are air-tight,
and as such provide excellent thermal performance. They also offer superior damp and cold
resistance when compared to timber and other materials, and are immune to both compression
shrinking and cold bridging.[8] Modular units may also be designed to fit in with external
aesthetics of any existing building and modular units once assembled can be virtually
indistinguishable from a site-built structure.
 Improved Air Quality - Many of the indoor air quality issues identified in new construction result
from high moisture levels in the framing materials. Because the modular structure is
substantially completed in a factory-controlled setting using dry materials, the potential for high
levels of moisture being trapped in the new construction is eliminated.

Modular buildings can also contribute to LEED requirements in any category site-built
construction can, and can even provide an advantage in the areas of Sustainable Sites, Energy
and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.[9] Modular
construction can also provide an advantage in similar categories in the International Green
Construction Code.

Disadvantages

 Volumetric: Transporting the completed modular building sections take up a lot of space. [10]
 Flexibility: Due to transport and sometimes manufacturing restrictions, module size can be
limited, affecting room sizes.[11]
 Some financial institutions may be hesitant to offer a loan for a modular home. [12]

Depending on the types of work, there are different types of cranes used in construction. Now,
we will discuss the top 10 most commonly used crane types in details. Here’s the list of the most
commonly used cranes for industrial purpose. So, let’s move on.
 TOWER CRANE

 Static Crane
o Tower Crane.
o Hammerhead Crane.
o Level Luffing Crane.
o Telescopic Crane.
 Mobile Crane
o Rough Terrain Crane.
o Truck-Mounted Crane.
o Crawler Crane.
o Aerial Crane/Flying Crane.
o Rail Road Crane.
o Floating Crane.

Static Crane

Static crane, as its name suggests, don’t show much movement. They are classified by the fact
that they don’t move during their period of use from one place to another. Mobile cranes are so
easy to use and move, but the importance of static cranes has not decreased a bit.

Some of the types are listed below:

 Tower crane
 Self-erecting crane
 Telescopic crane
 Hammerhead crane
 Level luffing crane
 Gantry crane
 Deck crane
 Jib crane
 Bulk-handling crane
 Loader crane
 Stacker crane

Tower Crane

Tower cranes are the mostly used cranes in the world. It is the form of a balance crane that is
fixed to the ground and also attached to the sides of structures. When it comes to the construction
of tall buildings, they are by far, the most used type of crane.

Advantages of Tower Crane

The advantages of tower crane are:

 Tower cranes surpass the loading and lifting capacity of any other crane in the world.
  Their height capacity can’t be matched by any other type of crane.
 They have an incredible stability and can bear the hardest tasks.

Disadvantages of Tower Crane

However, tower cranes have some disadvantages too. These are:

 These cranes are very expensive and they require time, effort and money to be shifted
from one area to another.
 They have high maintenance cost for repairs and depreciation.
 They have a major labor-intensive to install.

Industrial construction sites can be highly benefited by the use of this type of crane. However,
considering the cost and efficiency of tower cranes, the best option is hiring them.

Hammerhead Crane

The Hammerhead crane or the “Giant cantilever” crane is a fixed jib crane that provides a so-
called “racking” motion. The design of this type of crane started in Germany. Hammerhead
Crane was used in battleships, for installing large pieces like armor plate and gun barrels.

Advantages of Hammerhead Crane

Following are the advantages of Hammerhead Crane

 Hammerhead Crane is a static crane with a fixed location.

 They are often used for specific purpose.

Disadvantages of Hammerhead Crane

The main disadvantages of Hammerhead Crane are given below:

 They are difficult to set-up.

 As they are fixed to the surface, Reinstallation of such huge structure can be a bit
problematic.
 They are only used for mega construction purpose.

However, some modern hammerhead cranes incorporate a technique to move and reposition the
suspended load, adding to the versatility of Giant Cantilever cranes.

Level Luffing Crane

Level Luffing Crane has a special feature, which is the crane hook is designed to stay at a
constant level. So, up and down movement of the crane will only move the jib arm towards or
away from the base of the crane.
Advantages of Level Luffing Crane

Here, we present the advantages of level luffing cranes:

 The crane can be set to operate at a fixed level, relative to the ground.
 The load materials can be loaded with great precision due to its features.
 It allows the jib and the load to stay on the construction site ensuring safety to the general
public.

Disadvantages of Level Luffing Crane

The disadvantages of the level luffing crane are:

 It takes more time to perform movements necessary to lift an object.

 They affect the performance and economy of the construction site.

In conclusion, the level luffing Crane, like all other static cranes, has its pros and cons, so while
designing your project, you must choose the right type of crane available.

Telescopic Crane

Telescopic Cranes are another form of cranes that are employed to transport heavy goods,
consisting of a large boom. The boom has got tubes fitted inside with each other which increases
the height with the help of tubes through a hydraulic mechanism.

Telescopic Cranes are the best type of cranes when it comes to transferring objects to a high
place. They offer one of the best servicing possible in terms of ports.

Advantages of Telescopic Crane 

 They can adjust the height according to the place.

 They can be used in rescue operations due to their adjustment of height.
 They are mobile in the sense that they transport goods in a flexible manner.
 Cargo embarking and disembarking takes place in any port with this type of crane easily.
 They move loads with excellent precision.

Disadvantages of Telescopic Crane

The only disadvantage of telescopic crane is stated below

 Telescopic Cranes are not automatically mobile cranes.

But they can be often truck-mounted although, not truly mobile. The compactness of these cranes
makes them suitable for different mobile applications like short-term construction projects,
rescue jobs, lifting boats in and out of the water, etc.
Mobile Crane

A mobile crane is a very simple cable-controlled machine with a telescopic boom attached to its
platform. It comes in different shapes and sizes and can be classified into different types. There
are more than a dozen types of these cranes. Some of them are listed below:

 Vehicle-mounted
 Sidelifter
 All Terrain
 Telescopic Handler

There are many lifting operations, where using a tower crane is not practical. The operations
such as statue lifting or indoor lifts, can’t be executed by the static tower cranes. Therefore, the
best solution to such construction problem is, Mobile Crane.

Mobile cranes are faster to set up. The biggest advantage of a mobile crane is the flexibility and
ability to access in areas where static crane can’t reach. Mobile Crane doesn’t require a lot of
space. Mobile crane is a cheaper option of the types of major types of crane, so it is a cost-
efficient option.

Rough Terrain Crane

The rough terrain crane is the subclass of the hydraulic crane group. It is a self-propelled crane
mounted on four rubber tires. They are specifically designed to operate on off-road and
rough surfaces.

They are usually used for building bridges, operation in power and chemical plants and in large-
scale projects.

Advantages of Rough Terrain Crane

Below are the advantages of rough terrain crane:

 The design of the rough terrain crane makes it capable of maneuvering over surfaces that
limit the movement of the rubber wheels.
 Rough Terrain Cranes have a wider wheelbase and a larger engine than truck cranes
 The wider center of gravity makes it far more stable than any other type of crane.
 The tires are larger for better control
 All-wheel drive and steering make it highly effective to move on the rough surface.

Disadvantages of Rough Terrain Crane

The main disadvantages of Rough Terrain Crane are:

 One major drawback of using Rough Terrain Crane is that it can’t be driven on public
highways along with other traffic.
  The lowered boom on the crane tends to block driver’s right and left view, leading to
many serious accidents.

These cranes are powered by a single engine with hydraulically operated winches. The engine
powers both the undercarriage and the crane.

Truck-Mounted Crane

A crane mounted on a Truck provides the mobility for this types of crane. It is basically a self-
propelled loading and unloading machine which consists of rotating cantilever boom. It uses the
same engine for the undercarriage and the crane.

Advantages of Truck-Mounted Crane

Following are the advantages of Truck-mounted Crane:

 It can travel on highways itself.

 Its features make it easy to move and less expensive.
 They can be rotated up to 180 degrees, sometimes the expensive ones can even rotate 360
degrees!
 They can be used for multiple purposes.
 It can be used for loading and unloading of motor Truck rolling stock.
 It is highly flexible.
 Truck-Mounted Cranes travel nearly at 65 km/h.

Disadvantages of Truck-Mounted Crane

The disadvantages are:

 It moves at a low-speed around sites but is needed to be transported on the sites.

 They are not usually used for long hire periods.

Crawler Crane

A Crawler Crane is a type of mobile crane that moves on tracks which are called crawlers. So,
from here the name “Crawler” comes from. They are available with either a telescopic or lattice
boom. It can move around the site without a set-up.

The tracks provide stability enabling the crane to operate without the help of outriggers.

Advantages of Crawler Crane

The advantages of Crawler Crane are:

  Crawler Crane can move on any surface of the earth, even it can move on a soft surface
due to its crawlers.
 It can be used on unprepared sites as its load is distributed on a greater area.
 Crawler Crane is powered by one engine and may consist of two or more cable operated
drums

Disadvantages of Crawler Crane

The disadvantages of Crawler Crane are:

 Because of the heavy weight of the Crawler Crane, these machines move very slowly.
 It can’t be moved from one site to another easily.
 It is not cost-efficient due to its features.

But it can be moved with trucks, which can eventually save some money and make it cost-
efficient.

Aerial Crane/Flying Crane

An Aerial crane or flying crane is a helicopter that is used to lift heavy loads. They are also
called “Sky Cranes”. The most common use of the aerial crane is in the logging industry to lift
large trees out of remote areas where the land is unsuitable for the use of ordinary cranes.

Advantage of Aerial crane/Flying Crane

The advantages are

 They are capable of reaching anywhere and everywhere as helicopters fly.

 They can lift anything from boats, cars to swimming pools, etc.
 They are most convenient to lift loads to high rise buildings.
 After a disaster, they can be used to lift goods and unload them to remote areas for rescue
purposes.

Disadvantages of Aerial crane/Flying Crane

The major disadvantages are listed below

 Overloading can lead to serious accidents

 They are quite expensive and only used for special purposes.

In the near future, Drones might replace Aerial cranes, which can cause revolutionary changes in
the design of aerial cranes.
Railroad Crane

Railroad Cranes move on railway tracks. They are mainly used for construction and repair of
railway tracks and their maintenance. They have three primary purposes:

 Freight handling
 Permanent way maintenance
 Accident recovery work

Advantages of Railroad Crane

The benefits of railroad cranes are:

 They are very efficient and safe as they use tracks to move.
 The loading capacity is between 15 tons to 250 tons.
 They have a rapid self-propelling system.

Disadvantages of Railroad Crane

The only disadvantage of Railroad Crane is

 They can’t travel on roads or any other place, other than railways due to their flanged
wheels.

Floating Crane

Floating Cranes are ships equipped with a crane that is specialized in lifting heavy loads. They
are typically used for offshore construction. They are used in bridge building and port
construction, but they can also be used for lifting awkward and unconventional loads from on
and off the ship.

The advantages of Floating Crane

The advantages of floating crane are

 They can be used in rivers, ports, protected water, coastal waters, and on the open sea.
 They can be used to load or unload sunken ships from the water.
 They have a lifting capacity of approximately 9000 tons.
 They are easily portable to water.

Disadvantages of floating crane

When it comes to floating cranes, the disadvantages are far less than the advantages. The only
disadvantage of floating cranes is:

 They are fixed and thus, cannot be rotated.