BECT Ltd
Special construction equipment · SL

Segment Lifter and Derrick Crane

A lifting system for segmental viaduct construction by balanced cantilever. It raises steel or concrete segments from ground, deck or water level and positions them at the cantilever tip.

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Segment lifter mounted on a bridge deck, holding a precast concrete box segment suspended at the open end of the cantilever.
Segment lifter holding a precast box segment at the cantilever tip before closure of the joint.

Key specifications

Lifting capacity
100–900 tSteel or concrete segments
Segment length
2–25 mFewer lifting cycles per span
Lifting system
Winch or hydraulicElectric winch or hydraulic system
Mobility
Three optionsSelf-launching, rails or tyres
Overview

What a segment lifter does

In segmental viaduct construction the deck is built from precast segments rather than cast in place. A segment lifter, also called a derrick crane, stands on the completed deck, lifts each segment from delivery level and positions it against the face of the cantilever so that the joint can be closed.

The equipment handles steel and concrete segments and works with the balanced cantilever method. Lifting is by electric winch or by hydraulic system, giving controlled movement and precise placement.

Applications

Applications and construction method

The construction method is balanced cantilever erection of precast segments. Longer segments mean fewer lifting cycles for a given span, which is the main reason the equipment is specified at the upper end of its range.

Suitable structures and situations

  • Segmental viaduct construction
  • Balanced cantilever erection
  • Steel segments
  • Concrete segments
  • Steel cable-stayed bridges
  • Heavy segments, to 900 t
Capability

Capacity, range and design considerations

Capacity and segment range

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Lifting capacity and the segments the equipment handles.
Lifting capacity 100–900 t
Segment length 2–25 m
Segment materials Steel and concrete
Lifting system Electric winch or hydraulic system
Construction method Balanced cantilever

Advantages and design considerations

  • Load capacity

    Lifts and positions segments from 100 to 900 t, covering the heaviest structural elements normally erected segmentally.

  • Long segments

    Accommodates segment lengths of 2–25 m, which reduces the number of lifting cycles required for a span.

  • Controlled lifting

    Electric winch or hydraulic systems give smooth, controlled movement and precise placement of each segment.

  • Steel or concrete segments

    Handles both materials, so the same equipment type suits concrete box girders and steel segmental decks.

  • Three mobility arrangements

    Self-launching, steel wheels on rails, or rubber tyres, selected to suit access and the erection sequence.

  • Steel cable-stayed bridges

    The combination of capacity and segment length suits the erection of steel cable-stayed decks.

Configuration

Mobility arrangements

The lifter has to reposition itself along the deck as erection advances. Three arrangements are available, chosen on the access available and the erection sequence.

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The three available movement arrangements.
Self-launching Repositioning by an integrated hydraulic system, without external plant.
Steel wheels on rails Operation on dedicated rails, for a structured and repeatable lifting sequence.
Rubber tyres Tyred movement, for greater manoeuvrability across the bridge deck.
Gallery

Segment lifter and derrick crane installations, showing the lifting frame, suspended segments and the equipment positioned on the completed deck.

Pair of segment lifters mounted on a pier table above water, with access platforms cantilevered from both sides.
Lifters set up on the pier table before cantilever erection begins.
Gantry-type segment lifter raising a precast concrete box segment above the end of a completed deck.
Precast box segment raised to deck level for placement against the cantilever.
Segment lifter suspending a wide precast box segment, its internal cell and shear keys visible from below.
Box segment held below the lifting frame, internal cell and shear keys visible.
Four segment lifting frames arranged in pairs on two barges positioned either side of a channel.
Lifting frames arranged in pairs on floating plant for waterborne delivery.
Two derrick cranes working from a completed deck, with further segments staged on supports below.
Derrick cranes working from the completed deck with segments staged below.
Derrick crane at the end of a steel box girder deck, lifting the next girder segment from temporary trestles.
Steel box girder segment lifted at the deck end from temporary trestles.
Derrick crane at the cantilever tip of a cable-stayed deck, hoisting a segment directly from a vessel below.
Segment hoisted directly from floating delivery at the cantilever tip of a cable-stayed deck.
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Get in touch

Discuss your segment lifting requirement

Tell us the segment weight and geometry, the erection sequence and the access available, and our team will respond to your enquiry.

Send a project enquiry info@bectltd.com