Two Brussels construction sites equipped with Verlinde hoists

As member of the Europont network, the Belgian firm Cluma provides an integrator service for lifting and handlng products manufactured by Verlinde.In the context of two public sector construction sites, one before the European Parliament and Council and the other in the suburbs, Cluma has supplied gantry cranes fitted with hoists to two consortiums: THV Leophat and THV Watermaal-Bosvoorde. In both cases, civil engineering is at the core of the contracts, one involving the road tunnel under Place Shumann before the European Parliament, the other the building of a rail tunnel to speed the link between the European quarter and the airport.

 So, taking this fact into account but before focusing on the surface architecture, it was vital to give thought to key features of traffic flow in the tunnel. A major problem was the location of the Schuman roundabout on one of the main access roads to the city. 
The first part of civil engineering works involved renovating the tunnel by removing the existing concrete girders and replacing them with new prefabricated units. 

 In this very unusual environment setting up the Cluma-designed gantry crane had specific constraints placed on it in terms of noise, vibration and safety in the work area. What is more, assembly could only be achieved at night allowing no more than 5 working hours per night for the site. 

Road tunnel works
To carry out this civil engineering project, the THV Leophat consortium installed a gantry crane, length 25 m, height 11.5 m, travel distance 160 m. 
 To lift loads of up to 40 metric tons, the Verlinde Eurobloc VT5 hoist was chosen for its lifting performance, reliability and its ability to easily adapt to work in a wide range of weather conditions. Indeed, the VT5 hoist provides the following key characteristics in standard configuration: 
- Load capacity in excess of 40 metric tons.
- 2-speed hoisting motor (ratio 1-6) with bimetal sensors.
- 60% duty factor
 - Important feature: the DC disc brake requires no maintenance and so represents a great advantage in terms of safety for operations, as in this case, under variable weather conditions. 
- For greater safety, the geared limit switch provides four options - up, down, deceleration and high position).
- Phase inversion control and a load limiter preventing any excess load risk.
Finally, the travelling motor offers variable speeds from 3 to 20m/min.

Rail tunnel works
The express rail project in the Brussels suburbs on the 161 Watermael-Boitsfort line involves the widening of the rail section to 4 tracks and an increase in train speeds to reach up to 160 km/hr. This important construction project also involves building a 1.6 km long tunnel. Works will last from 2 to 3 years depending on the difficulties encountered.Cluma also provided the solution for this by providing THV Watermaal-Bosvoorde with a 33.8 m double girder gantry crane, overall height 11.5 m, travel distance 280 m. Bearing in mind the constraints of this site and the types of loads to be lifted, two Verlinde Eurobloc VT5 hoists were chosen to be mounted on the double girder crane.

Cluma
Belgian member of the Europont network, Cluma offers solutions for loads from 125 kg to 250 metric tons. Very wide range of suspended cranes, jib cranes and hoists. An experienced team ensures a very good after sales service for all lifting equipment. Cluma is an official importer of Verlinde products for Belgium.

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