Johnson Arabia, a leading provider of lifting solutions, has completed a challenging project that involved lifting and positioning massive steel columns for the enhancement of the Al Ain Grand Mosque. The mosque, adorned with verses from the Quran, began construction in 2013 and was completed in 2019 due to a delay in major projects in Abu Dhabi.
Overcoming challenges in lifting heavy steel columns
Johnson Arabia was tasked with lifting and positioning multiple 22 tonne, 12-metre-high steel columns to install sensor-activated shade canopies for the outdoor prayer areas of the mosque. The team planned the lift of the steel columns with its Terex-Demag 350-tonne 2200 crawler crane (CC2200) with a 108m straight boom.
The lifting operation presented several challenges, including the visibility of the ends of the columns and the conversion of the parking space near the mosque to a high load-bearing area. For the lift, the Terex-Demag crawler crane and a 100-tonne Liebherr performed the lift in a tandem fashion. First, the columns were lifted off the flatbeds, then the CC2200 was employed to position them upright, and then the Liebherr was used to keep the bottom of the column off the ground to ensure accurate positioning.
To mitigate the visibility challenge, the team communicated closely with each other – with the rigging team consulting with the installation team to ensure accurate placement of the columns. Another challenge was converting the parking space near the mosque to a high load-bearing area, which was achieved by strategically placing crane mats after ground pressure calculations.
Additionally, Johnson Arabia also obtained special permits for the job and confirmed that no work was done or lifts were performed during prayer times as well as ensuring full safety of the columns if any were mid-lift.
Overall, Johnson Arabia’s successful completion of this project demonstrated its expertise and commitment to providing safe and efficient lifting solutions for even the most challenging projects. In addition, the construction and improvements of the mosque serve as a testament to Abu Dhabi’s dedication to religious and cultural development, and Johnson Arabia noted that it’s proud to have been a part of this landmark project.