For Immediate Release

March 31, 2005

Giant Potains help with new Chinese landmark

MD 3600 tower crane

Two of the largest Potain tower cranes ever built are playing a central role in the construction of China’s first steel cable-stayed bridge. The Nanjing Bridge No. 3 is being built in Nanjing, a former capital of China. In addition to being the first steel cable-stayed bridge in the country, it will also be one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world, with an estimated finished length of 15.6 km (9.7 miles).

Potain has supplied two MD 3600 special application tower cranes to the project, which are expected to handle an estimated total of 10 000 t (11 023 USt) of steel during construction of the bridge. The cranes can lift a maximum of 160 t (176 USt) which they can handle out as far as 18.7 m (61 ft). Each has been fitted with a 40 m (131 ft) jib.

The bridge will be supported by two pylons – North and South – which comprise two legs and stand at the height of 210 m (689 ft). There is one MD 3600 assigned to each of the pylons and they will climb as the construction grows. The cranes will eventually reach a height under hook of 232 m (761 ft).

Each pylon contains 21 steel sections and the average weight of these sections is between 130 t and 150 t (143 USt and 165 USt) although the largest weighs 160 t (176 USt). Once each section is in position it must be connected by bolts – there is no welding – with around 40 000 bolts used to connect two sections. The bridge will ultimately contain 33 000 t (36 376 USt) of steel and there will be a total of 89 steel deck sections.

Yui Li, who is in charge of the cranes on the project is Yu Li, said steel was chosen for the project because of several advantages it offered

“There were three main factors which affected our decision to use steel on this project,” he said. “Firstly, steel is a high-strength material that is easy to build with and easy to handle,  so we knew we could simplify the construction process. Secondly, there are concerns about the environment in this region and using steel – as opposed to concrete – meant there was a much lower risk of polluting the surrounding environment. And thirdly, we studied other steel cable-stayed bridges – mostly in Japan – and came to the decision that overall it was a more efficient way for us to proceed.”

Main contractor on the job is Nanjing No 3 Yangtze River Bridge Co Ltd which has employed four main subcontractors to handle the majority of the construction work: China Railway BaoQiao Co; CHEC No 2 Bureau; Hunan Road and Bridge Co; and China Railway Shanhaiguan Bridge Co. The RMB3 billion (US$362 million) project employs 2000 people and continues around the clock, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.

Construction work should finish at the end of this year and the new bridge, which opens to traffic early in 2006, will form an important part of the national highway between Shanghai and Chengdu (the capital of China’s Sichuan Province in the southwest of the country) by linking the existing Shanghai – Nanjing and Nanjing – Hefei expressways.

About The Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes,tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry.

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