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June 7, 2023 - Modulift and its in-house engineering team designed and manufactured a specially designed lifting beam that has helped recover a micro tunnelling machine from the depths of the sea.
In just eight weeks, the Modulift team designed, produced, and delivered a 55-USt (50-metric-ton) custom beam that meets the stringent DNV industry standards and with a dynamic amplification factor of 2.0.
The beam had to be designed for use above and below the water, taking into account the differences in the center of gravity location and weight of the micro tunnelling machine due to buoyancy.
Thanks to Modulift’s in-house expertise, the company achieved the correct tilt and balance to ensure a safe and effective lift.
Modulift engineered the beam with eight lifting points and turnbuckles to connect the lifting beam to the tunnelling machine.
The 22’ (6.7m) long beam featured two top lugs, four bottom lugs, and tugger points for maneuvering the beam to the right orientation before lifting.
Modulift’s engineering team used 3D structural analysis in STAAD Pro.
ANSYS software was used for finite element analysis on the lifting lugs and welds.
At the customer’s request, Modulift engaged DNV to review the design and certify the beam’s compliance with DNV-ST-N001.
The design was approved in the first round of reviews, allowing Modulift to complete the project within eight weeks, from design and drawings, to fabrication, painting, and procurement of rigging.
