Special construction equipment

Special bridge construction equipment

Self-launching equipment for cast-in-situ and precast bridge construction, designed, fabricated and supplied in overhead and underslung configurations.

Launching gantry carried on tall piers above a concrete box-girder deck, with the main truss extended over the next span. — Launching gantry supported on the completed deck, with the main truss extended over the next span.

Scope

Design, fabrication and supply

BECT provides the conceptual and detailed design, fabrication and supply of self-launching bridge construction equipment, in both overhead and underslung configurations.

The range covers cast-in-situ balanced cantilever construction, span-by-span construction of cast-in-place superstructures, precast segmental erection and the erection of simply supported precast beams.

Conceptual and detailed design

Equipment is taken from the initial concept through to detailed design, for the structure and the construction method it has to serve.

Fabrication and supply

The designed equipment is fabricated and supplied, rather than specified and left for others to resolve.

Overhead and underslung

Both configurations are offered. The choice follows the configuration of the bridge and the constraints of the construction site.

Equipment range

Principal equipment categories

Six systems, each suited to a different construction method. The figures shown are those published for each type.

FT / BB

Underslung Form Traveller

Cast-in-situ balanced cantilever construction, with the formwork carried below the deck so that the area above the segment stays clear.

Segment length7–10 m

Segment weight50–450 t

LaunchingSelf-launching

Underslung form traveller

FT / BB

Overhead Form Traveller

Cast-in-situ balanced cantilever construction with the formwork carried from a frame above the deck. It suits shorter segments and hammerhead pier segments.

Segment length3–7 m

Segment weight100–450 t

Pier segmentsFrom 5 m

Overhead form traveller

MSS

Movable Scaffolding System

Span-by-span construction of cast-in-place concrete superstructures, continuous or simply supported, without intermediate supports. Underslung and overhead models.

Span range20–70 m

Curvature radius≥ 250 m

DepthConstant or variable

Movable scaffolding systems

Launching Gantry

Precast segmental bridge construction, supporting both balanced-cantilever and span-by-span erection. Underslung and overhead models, each fully self-launching with an integrated gantry crane.

Minimum curvature radius75–100 m

LaunchingSelf-launching

Gantry craneIntegrated

Launching gantries

Beam Launcher

Simply supported bridges. Prefabricated steel and concrete beams are lifted, carried and placed span by span, without crane assistance.

Standard spans20–40 m

Beam typesT, I, U, box

VariantsSingle-box, twin-truss

Beam launchers

Segment lifter positioned over the deck, handling a precast segment during balanced-cantilever erection.

Segment Lifter and Derrick Crane

Segmental viaduct erection by balanced cantilever. Steel or concrete segments are raised from ground, deck or water level and positioned at the cantilever tip.

Lifting capacity100–900 t

Segment length2–25 m

MobilityRails, tyres or self-launching

Segment lifters

Selection

Choosing equipment by construction method

The construction method usually settles the equipment type before anything else does. The table maps each method to the system that serves it.

Swipe or scroll horizontally to view the full table.

Each range belongs to the equipment named on the same row. Ranges are not transferable between rows.
Construction method	Equipment	Published range
Cast-in-situ balanced cantilever	Underslung form traveller	Segments 7–10 m, 50–450 t
Cast-in-situ balanced cantilever, shorter segments	Overhead form traveller	Segments 3–7 m, 100–450 t
Span-by-span, cast-in-place superstructure	Movable scaffolding system	Spans 20–70 m
Precast segmental, balanced cantilever and span-by-span	Launching gantry	Minimum curvature radius 75–100 m
Segmental erection by balanced cantilever	Segment lifter and derrick crane	100–900 t, segments 2–25 m
Simply supported precast beams	Beam launcher	Standard spans 20–40 m

What determines the choice

Bridge cross-section. A movable scaffolding system accommodates Double-T, U-shape, single box, multi-cell box, box with struts and composite sections, at constant or variable depth.
Span length. The published ranges above are the first constraint, and they differ substantially between systems.
Alignment curvature. A movable scaffolding system handles variable radii of curvature of 250 m or greater. A launching gantry handles radii as tight as 75–100 m, depending on the span length.
Pier height and support arrangement. Movable scaffolding systems are built to suit different pier heights and different bridge support configurations.
Overhead or underslung. Both models serve similar functions. The choice depends on the configuration of the bridge and the constraints of the site.
Formwork operation. A movable scaffolding system can be equipped with an internal formwork rolling wagon, also known as a collapsible hydraulic form-trolley.

Also available

Equipment engineering services

Five further service lines sit alongside the equipment range. They apply to equipment already in service as well as to new build.

Equipment modification and redesign

Existing construction equipment reworked for better performance.
Heavy lifting and swing systems

Purpose-engineered systems for complex lifting and swing operations.
Custom construction equipment

Equipment designed to the requirements of a specific project rather than adapted from a standard product.
Equipment design review and structural checks

Review of equipment design, with structural checks against safety and performance requirements.
Straddle carriers

Transport of segments and beams on large-scale bridge projects.

Related services

Equipment is one of four service lines. It is normally specified alongside the permanent-works design and the construction-stage engineering it serves.

Design & Consultancy

Conceptual, preliminary, tender and detailed design for prestressed concrete, composite and steel bridges, with alternative design and independent design verification.

Design & consultancy

Construction Engineering

Construction-stage analysis, temporary works, erection method planning, geometry and precamber control, launching and heavy lifting engineering.

Construction engineering

Structural Fabrication

Engineered heavy steelwork delivered through an established fabrication partner, with trial assembly and quality-controlled production support.

Structural fabrication

Get in touch

Discuss your equipment requirement

Tell us the construction method, the span arrangement and the site constraints, and our team will respond to your enquiry.

Send a project enquiry info@bectltd.com