A huge stainless-steel vortex generator assembly, 3.6m in diameter and over 21m long was successfully lowered into the Hammersmith shaft, in London, as a 'one-piece lift' operation, after significant design innovation, research and development by Steel Dynamics.
The vortex generator assembly weighed over 28 tonnes and shipped from the factory in two parts due to the restrictions transporting oversize goods on the UK roads. It was subsequently welded onsite at ground level adjacent to the shaft before being lifted.
Ian McNeil, Project Manager for Steel Dynamics said; "this is a very impressive first for the project and Steel Dynamics. A single, one-piece lift of a product this size and unusual shape is a great achievement and testament to the hard work, design, calculations and 3D computer lift simulations of everyone involved.
Ian continued, "Previous constructions of this nature have typically had to be assembled and welded in the shaft, in the final operational position. This is time consuming and costly as welders have to have tunnel-entry certification and perform vertical welding in confined spaces".
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