A selection of construction pictures from the past month.
Bridge slide is world first, says Balfour Beatty Vinci JV
Balfour Beatty Vinci JV has claimed the world’s longest box ‘bridge slide’ as part of the HS2 project.
It took 450 people, over a 48-hour period during Christmas, to move the 12,600-tonne bridge over the M42 in Warwickshire. Working at speeds of up to 4m per hour, the JV moved the bridge a total of 165m.
New lightweight exoskeleton launched
German Bionic has developed a new lightweight exoskeleton for industries such as construction where heavy lifting is a regular requirement. It says the ‘Apogee’ is more manoeuvrable, provides up to 30kg of support for the lower back per lifting movement and helps minimise fatigue.
Groundforce supports Swedish skyscraper
Groundforce has supplied 12 of its heavy-duty MP250 modular hydraulic props to support excavation of the foundations for the Swedish city of Gothenburg’s first skyscraper. The 245m-tall tower excavation is 90m in length, and 90m wide, to a depth of 6m on a sloping site.
Housebuilding scheme to recruit women site managers
Women can gain experience of what it’s like to work as a site manager thanks to an initiative from the Home Builders Federation and not-for-profit organisation Women into Construction.
The programme features work placements, online opportunities, contributions towards childcare and training costs.
Solar energy powers education
Burnley College’s new £10m sports facility features rooftop solar tech from Shawton Energy. The 750-module system is forecast to reduce the college’s carbon emissions by 61 tonnes a year and cut its annual electricity bill by £108,000 on current energy prices.
