Description: Tower cranes are a vital element in the construction process. There are around 1500 cranes in the UK and at any time around 1000 are in use. Tower cranes are often in use on construction sites in urban areas and, although rare in the UK, any collapse of the crane is likely to result in injury to members of the public outside the boundaries of the site as well as personnel working inside the site. Collapse of tower cranes also presents a risk to adjacent railways and roads. This guidance aims to bring together important practical and design issues that impact on health and safety and to present a current understanding of best practice based on the experience of a wide cross-section of the industry.

The document is intended to promote the safe design of foundations for, and use of, tower cranes through an improved understanding of temporary works design and health and safety issues.

Keywords: site management, health and safety, ground engineering, design and buildability, construction management

Contents: Summary iii, Acknowledgements iv, Glossary xii, 1 Introduction 1, 1.1 Causes of failure 1, 1.1.1 Hazards 1, Erection, climbing or dismantling 2, Overload 2, High wind loads 2, Structural failure 2, Load failures or impact 3, Proximity hazards 3, Overhead power lines 5, 1.2 Regulations and standards 4, 1.3 Health and safety regulations 4, 1.4 Tower crane types and features 5, 1.4.1 Common types of crane (issues for safety and selection) 6, 1.5 Selection 8, 2 Design 11, 2.1 Types of loading 11, Structural loads 11, Wind loading 11, In service loading 13, Out of service loading 13, Other loading 14, Loads applied to the foundations 14, 2.1.1 Loading information supplied by manufacturers 15, 2.2 Factors of safety 16, 2.2.1 Principles of factors recommended by the report 16, Foundations 17, Structural members 17, 2.3 Influence of siting on design 17, 2.4 Foundations 28, 2.4.1 Foundation selection 22, 2.4.2 Site investigation 22, 2.5 Tying 22, 2.5.1 Types of tie 23, 2.5.2 Internally climbing tower cranes 24, 2.6 Erection/climbing/dismantling 25, 3 On site 27, 3.1 Management 27, 3.1.1 Planning 28, 3.1.2 Design 28, 3.1.3 Procurement 29, 3.1.4 Erection 29, 3.1.5 Operation 30, 3.1.6 Maintenance 31, 3.1.7 Re-configuration 31, 3.1.8 Dismantling 32, 3.2 Communication 33, 3.3 Operational issues 35, 3.3.1 Monitoring wind speed 35, Wind speed indicators 35, Operational strategies 36, 3.3.2 Verticality 37, 3.3.3 Foundation checks 37, Pre-erection inspection 38, Regular monitoring 39, Frequency 39, Records 40, Certification 40, Deformation of foundations 40, 3.3.4 Maintenance and thorough examination 40, 3.3.5 Daily checks 40, 3.3.6 Weekly inspections 40, 3.3.7 Maintenance 41, 3.3.8 Thorough examinations 41, 3.3.9 Overload testing 42, APPENDIX 1 Loading and structural elements 43, A1.1 Information supplied 43, A1.2 Wind 43, A1.3 Design for fatigue 44, A1.4 Temporary structural design (ties and anchors) 45, Design and manufacture of bespoke tie components 47, Tie Installation 48, Foundation elements 48, A1.5 Permanent works design 48 , APPENDIX 2 Foundations 51, A2.1 Site investigation and determination of ground parameters 51, A2.2 Design 51, A2.2.1 Principles 51, A2.2.2 Factors of safety 52, Stability (equilibrium) 52, Geotechnical capacity 53, Structural capacity 54, A2.2.3 Foundation construction issues 55, A2.3 Traditional design of typical bases 55, A2.4 Base design to Eurocode for geotechnical design, BS EN 1997-1 and 2 75, A2.4.1 Principles of BS EN 1997 75, A2.4.2 How to ensure designs comply with EN 1997 75, APPENDIX 3 Standards and timetables for change 87, Other guidance 88, References 89