Hydraulic Strand Jack System for Heavy Steel Structure Lifting
A 1,100-Ton Synchronous Lifting Case from Beijing Zhongguancun R&D Zone
Introduction
In large-scale industrial and urban construction projects, lifting heavy steel structures is often one of the most critical and risk-sensitive stages. Traditional crane lifting or high-altitude assembly methods can introduce significant safety concerns, scheduling uncertainty, and space constraints—especially in dense city environments.
A representative example is the hydraulic lifting of a 1,100-ton steel structure corridor at Building 3# of the Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone R&D Building in Beijing. Instead of assembling the structure at height, the project team chose to pre-assemble the entire steel corridor on the ground and lift it synchronously to a height of approximately 20 meters using a Hydraulic Strand Jack System.
This publicly reported industry case clearly demonstrates why hydraulic strand jack technology has become a preferred heavy lifting system for large-span steel structures, bridge construction lifting, and complex urban projects. While this project was not executed using KIET equipment, the lifting logic, technical requirements, and risk control approach closely reflect the real-world applications of KIET's Hydraulic Strand Jack Systems.
Project Background and Engineering Challenges
The steel corridor served as a critical connecting structure within the R&D building complex. Due to its size and weight, conventional lifting solutions presented several challenges:
- Total lifting weight:approximately 1,100 tons
- Lifting height:about 20 meters
- Site conditions:limited space, surrounding structures, restricted crane access
Key Challenges
-
High-altitude construction risks
Assembling and welding steel structures at height significantly increases safety risks and reduces work efficiency. -
Limited feasibility of large cranes
Ultra-large cranes require extensive setup space and long occupation periods, which were impractical for this site. -
Strict alignment and deformation control
Uneven lifting could introduce structural stress, misalignment, or permanent deformation. -
Schedule pressure
The lifting operation needed to be predictable, controllable, and repeatable to avoid delays.
These constraints made a synchronous lifting system based on hydraulic strand jacks the most suitable technical solution.
Hydraulic Strand Jack Solution Overview
A Strand Jack System is a specialized hydraulic lifting technology designed for ultra-heavy loads and precise vertical movement. It is widely used in bridge construction lifting, power plant installation, offshore modules, and large steel structure erection.
Strand Jack Working Principle
The system operates using the following mechanism:
- High-strength steel strandspass through a hollow hydraulic cylinder
- Upper and lower anchorage clampsalternately grip and release the strands
- Each hydraulic stroke lifts the load incrementally
- Multiple strand jacks operate under computer-controlled synchronization
This step-by-step lifting process allows for millimeter-level precision, even when handling loads exceeding hundreds or thousands of tons.
In practice, engineers value strand jacks not only for their lifting capacity, but for their ability to maintain uniform movement across multiple lifting points.
Implementation Process and Technical Highlights
Ground Assembly Strategy
The entire steel corridor was assembled at ground level before lifting. This approach offered clear advantages:
- Improved welding quality and inspection conditions
- Reduced high-altitude work and safety risks
- Better dimensional control before lifting
Once assembled, the structure was connected to multiple hydraulic strand jacks installed at predefined lifting points.
Multi-Point Synchronous Lifting
The lifting system was equipped with:
- Load sensors
- Displacement sensors
- Real-time monitoring and control software
All strand jacks were controlled simultaneously through a computer-controlled synchronous lifting system, ensuring uniform elevation and balanced load distribution throughout the process.
As many site engineers note, precise synchronization is the key factor that determines the success or failure of large-scale hydraulic lifting operations.
Safety and Reliability Measures
Safety was ensured through multiple layers:
- Mechanical self-locking anchorage clamps
- Continuous load monitoring
- Redundant hydraulic control logic
Even in the event of power or pressure loss, the mechanical clamping system ensured the load remained securely suspended.
Project Results and Value Demonstration
The lifting operation was completed smoothly and safely, delivering significant project value:
- Successful synchronous lifting of a 1,100-ton steel structure
- Minimal high-altitude construction work
- High positioning accuracy at final elevation
- Controlled schedule with reduced operational risk
From an engineering management perspective, the Hydraulic Strand Jack System provided a safer, more controllable, and more efficient alternative to traditional lifting methods.
How KIET Hydraulic Strand Jack Systems Support Similar Projects
Although this project did not use KIET equipment, it clearly reflects the application scenarios for which KIET Hydraulic Strand Jack Systems are designed.
Key Capabilities of KIET Strand Jack Systems
- Wide capacity range: 15–1000 tons per unit
- High-precision synchronous controlfor multi-point lifting
- Mechanical locking for enhanced safety
- Compact structure, suitable for confined sites
- Flexible modular configurationfor different project scales
Compared with conventional jacks or crane lifting, KIET's hydraulic strand jack solutions offer superior control, safety, and adaptability—especially in bridge construction lifting and large steel structure installation.
Conclusion and Call to Action
This Zhongguancun R&D Building case demonstrates how Hydraulic Strand Jack Systems enable safe, precise, and efficient lifting of extremely heavy steel structures in complex environments.
As urban construction becomes more demanding and project risks increase, strand jack technology is increasingly recognized as a reliable solution for modern heavy lifting challenges.
If your project involves heavy lifting, synchronous lifting systems, or bridge construction lifting, KIET Hydraulic can provide customized strand jack solutions tailored to your technical requirements.
Contact the KIET team for technical consultation Request a customized Hydraulic Strand Jack solution