A Girder Launcher, also known as a Beam Launcher or Launching Gantry, is a specialized piece of heavy machinery used in bridge construction. It is designed to lift and place precast concrete girders or steel box girders onto the bridge piers or abutments. This equipment is widely used in highway and railway bridge construction projects and offers a highly efficient and safe method for erecting bridge girders.
Main Features
Structure : The Girder Launcher typically consists of a main girder, front and rear legs, auxiliary brackets, lifting trolleys, hydraulic systems, and electrical systems. The main girder is usually made of high-strength steel and has a truss structure, providing excellent load-bearing capacity and wind resistance .
Lifting Capacity : The lifting capacity of Girder Launchers can range from 80 tons to 200 tons or more, depending on the specific model and configuration .
Span and Lifting Height : The span can be from 30 meters to 50 meters, and the lifting height is generally between 6 meters and 12 meters .
Power Supply : It can be powered by 3 – phase A.C. 50Hz 380V electricity or diesel engines.
Advantages
High Efficiency : The Girder Launcher can quickly transport and erect girders, reducing the time and labor required for bridge construction tasks .
Safety and Reliability : It is equipped with various safety protection devices such as emergency stop, overload protection, stroke and lifting limit switches, undervoltage and lack of phase and overcurrent protection, etc., ensuring safe and reliable operation .
Versatility : It can erect straight, curved, and longitudinally equal – span and variable – span double – line prestressed concrete whole – hole box girders. It can also adapt to bridges with different slopes and angles .
Convenient Operation and Maintenance : The Girder Launcher has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It is also easy to disassemble and transport, which is convenient for maintenance and repair.
Applications
Highway and Railway Bridges : The Girder Launcher is widely used in the construction of highway and railway bridges. It can be used to erect预制 beams on bridge piers, improving the construction efficiency and quality .
Infrastructure Projects : It can also be used in other infrastructure projects such as viaducts, overpasses, and tunnels.