Construction of the Swiss Re building reached a major milestone on Friday 12 October when Skanska started the erection of the steel frame by lifting the first ”A” frame into position.
Approximately 10,000 tonnes of steel will be used in the frame which will comprise of 11,000 steel elements, including 360 ”A” frames each weighing up to 11 tonnes and pre-assembled at ground level. Each two-storey section will comprise 18 ”A” frames up to level 38 of the 40 storey building, with an independent steel and glass structure forming the top section.
In August, Skanska geared up for the steelwork phase by installing a CTL 630-24 tower crane with a 60 metre jib and 24 tonne lifting capacity. The crane is the largest ever from manufacturers Comedil and will erect the steel frame by self-climbing to a height of 160 metres up the 179.8 metre building.
As main contractor, Skanska is responsible for the Swiss Re building’s shell and core. There are also three other companies within the Skanska Group involved in the construction: Cementation Foundations Skanska, Richard Lees Steel Decking and Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil.