Buzz
(Homeland) - This new construction technology enables cost reduction, labor saving, and accelerates construction progress compared to traditional methods.
The Exchange Tower in Detroit, Michigan, USA, nearing completion, stands as a towering testament at 63 meters tall to advanced modular construction techniques. Each floor of the building is prefabricated on the ground, then hoisted onto central columns and assembled from top to bottom.
The original triangular-shaped building plot sits adjacent to an elevated public transportation system. This posed a challenge for investors as constructing a tower of equivalent height using traditional methods with cranes would be impractical.
That's why they opted for Liftbuild's construction system, utilizing a super-modern version of the 'elevator floor' technique originating from the early 1950s. However, in the modern version, it has been significantly improved. The construction process begins with preparing the foundation and erecting some central columns, complete with internal staircases and elevators, reaching the entire height of the building.
Subsequently, each floor starts from the rooftop, constructed close to the ground, with steel frames and concrete slabs, followed by the facade, flooring, walls, electrical, plumbing systems, fire sprinklers, piping, and similar elements.
Coordinating with various contractors, Liftbuild ensures everything can be accomplished on the ground by creating a factory-style assembly area, where prefabricated components can be quickly fitted and lifting minimized. Anything needing installation beneath the floor slab can be done by raising the entire floor to a certain height for easy execution.
Once each 500-ton floor is prepared, they will be smoothly lifted to the top using eight extremely strong cables. The top floors will take about 10 hours to lift. And upon positioning, an exclusive screw connection will permanently secure the floor to the columns. In the case of the Exchange building, there are no additional structures or scaffolding involved. Each floor is a cast design held by only two central columns, ensuring unobstructed views from the windows of every room. The sole wall on each floor is the central column, providing designers the freedom to arrange interiors as desired.
Exchange building construction process
Liftbuild's parent company, Barton Marlow, directed the design and construction, while also sponsoring the project as a testament to the company's technological capabilities. The company stated this would be a significant leap in safety for workers, as once the columns are erected, no one needs to work at height or use exterior hanging cables like traditional buildings.
And naturally, technological advancements also make everything cheaper and faster to install. Liftbuild claims construction costs are 10-20% cheaper and up to 50% faster compared to conventional construction methods, while also requiring significantly fewer laborers. However, they will need to substantiate these claims in future projects as this method is further refined.
Since the end of January, all lift-ready floors have been securely fixed in place, with only the bottom two floors remaining, which will be built conventionally.
In reality, despite being the first project in the U.S. to utilize this construction technology, earlier and less refined versions of it have been employed previously.
Back in 2018, a 10-story L-shaped office building in Bangalore, India was erected using this method. You can observe the construction progress through the timelapse video below.
Reference NewAtlas
