In recent years, the construction industry has witnessed a remarkable surge in the construction of tall buildings worldwide. With urbanisation and population growth, there is a pressing need for efficient and sustainable solutions to accommodate the increasing number of people in limited spaces. Tower cranes have emerged as crucial tools in this context, facilitating the construction of skyscrapers and revolutionising the construction industry as a whole.

One of the primary reasons for the increasing use of tower cranes in tall buildings is their ability to perform efficient vertical construction. Tall buildings require large and heavy materials to be lifted to significant heights, making it challenging for conventional construction methods. Tower cranes offer the necessary lifting capacity, reach, and stability to handle these demanding tasks effectively. They enable the smooth movement of materials and equipment vertically, ensuring a streamlined construction process.

Metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi, along with smaller cities like Ahmedabad and Pune, have experienced a recent surge in real estate growth and urbanisation. This phenomenon has given rise to a notable trend in vertical construction. With its high population density and limited building footprints, India is now being hailed as the upcoming hub for tall buildings and high-rise structures. Tower cranes play a vital role in the construction of these towering edifices.

Shyam Seth, Former COO, L&T, says, “There is a need for a gag which once engaged, should be able to complete the project. Highly skilled people, be it crane operator, formwork team, reinforcement team needs to be engaged until the project is executed. Good quality equipment like high-speed tower cranes, heavy duty pumps, and vertical transportation during the construction phase are very essential. Moreover, planning and selecting the right contractor plays a very important role in executing tall buildings.”

With precast construction gaining traction in India, there is now a growing requirement for higher capacity cranes for lifting precast building components with precision during construction of high-rise and other large infra development projects.

Technology at the forefront
Advancements in technology have further propelled the increased usage of tower cranes in tall buildings. Modern tower cranes are equipped with advanced automation and control systems, enhancing their precision and accuracy. Remote monitoring systems enable operators to have real-time access to crane data, facilitating proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime. Additionally, technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) enable better coordination between the tower crane and other construction processes, optimizing productivity and efficiency.

Says Mayank Pundir, Country Head, ACE Tower Cranes Division, “While a majority of Indian structures both residential, commercial and infrastructure are being built the cast in place or in-situ mode, there is a growing popularity for precast technology within the Indian construction community. Precast construction technology is not new in India. It has been adopted in India from past many years, but was mostly limited to civil structures such as tunnels, bridges and flyovers and underpasses. However, until a decade back adoption of modern and innovative construction technology and practices by the Indian realty sector was slow and therefore precast , though widely used across the globe for its inherent advantages, did not catch the fancy of the industry.”

He adds, “According to industry experts, apart from certain countries in Asia-Pacific, the rest of the world is increasingly using precast as their mode of construction in a majority of projects. The construction industry in India is around $500 million and precast has only 2 per cent share vis-à-vis the traditional method of construction. However, a gradual shift is occurring and precast building technology is rapidly gaining a foothold in the Indian market and primary among them is the need for affordable housing.”

ACE offers higher capacity tower cranes ranging from 10t to 25t capacities, which play an integral role in the precast construction industry. Adds Pundir, “These machines are used to lift, shift and lower the precast structures. For the precast industry tower cranes have become the most essential and valuable assets because they make the work easier and faster at project sites.”

Schwing Stetter tower cranes bring more ease into project execution. “Our most advanced tower crane for building a skyscraper are in the ranges of 10-tonne to 100 metric tonne capacities in India,” says VG Sakthikumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India.

He adds, “Given the need for faster completion of real estate projects, tower cranes, especially of higher tonnage will be required for handling the heavy concrete and steel sections. In fact, demand for tower cranes with heavier lifting capabilities has been growing in India since the past four to five, more so with 3D precast construction technology coming into use by several project developers.”

Schwing Stetter India is also importing higher capacities of tower cranes from XCMG for the Indian market as well as the luffing and jib cranes on demand basis. The advancements in our tower cranes for building a skyscraper are mainly on the aspects of safety and innovation.

XCMG tower cranes have the standard safe load indicators for accurate and safe handling of material within the rated load capacity. Mast sections of the cranes are of the split type, they take up less space during transportation, are easier to handle, and can be erected fast, and with ease. There is also the option of an anti-collision device for cranes working alongside several other cranes in big projects.

One of the most popular units for high-rise construction from Potain is the MR 418 luffing jib crane. It includes full frequency-controlled mechanisms for precision control and a streamlined design that optimises the available space on the job site, while simplifying assembly and disassembly. The MR 418 offers a host of other benefits including the optional 270 LVF 120 hoist. The crane is perfect for high rise buildings, including super tall structures that exceed 200 m in height.

The 201 kW 270 LVF 120 hoist offers excellent capabilities for high-rise projects, with 830-metre of rope available. In addition, the winch can reach speeds of up to 254 m per minute for better productivity. A new design offers a streamlined appearance with several advantages. The luffing mechanism and hoist are uniquely mounted inside the counterjib, reducing the amount of space the crane takes up on site and simplifying assembly.

Road ahead

Tower cranes have become a symbol of modern construction, playing a vital role in the development of tall buildings worldwide. Their efficient vertical construction capabilities, enhanced safety features, cost and time efficiency, flexibility, and technological advancements have revolutionised the construction industry. As the demand for tall buildings continues to rise, tower cranes will remain indispensable tools, facilitating the construction of innovative and sustainable structures that shape the skylines of cities around the globe.