Largest load test in the UK & Europe executed using 110T Water Weights bags

Summary of the Project

Unique Group’s Water Weights team in the UK was recently contracted by Smulders Projects UK to load test a triangular spreader frame which will be used to lift 55 wind turbine jackets from the quayside to vessel for major offshore development. Using 9 x 110t heavy lift bags and 5 x 55t bags, a load of 1,178.4t was applied to the spreader frame as specified by the client under the careful watch of four Water Weights technicians who performed the task safely and incident free in line with a COVID19 enhanced risk assessment
The project is by far the largest load test undertaken by the Water Weights division in the UK and Europe using the 110t bags.

Client Requirement

The client wanted Unique Group to supply equipment and a team of engineers to carry out the heavy load test of a 3-point lifting frame at Smulders UK, to satisfy and achieve DNV for certification.

Challenges Faced

The client manufacturing facility was extremely busy with multiple operations going on around the test area, and so, it was challenging to minimise the overall timeframe the crane was used for the load test duration.
The COVID-19 crisis also meant that social distancing measures were to be strictly adhered to without jeopardising health of our own team and the health of all the others on site.

Unique Solution Delivered

The heavy load test was achieved in an easy, safe and cost-effective manner using our massive 110t capacity Water Weights load testing bags. A load of 1,178.4t, which is the largest water load bag test in Europe to date was applied to the spreader frame as specified by the client using 9 x 110t heavy lift bags and 5 x 55t bags. Over a very short span of time (4-day period), the team fully assisted with the rigging, filling, testing, draining and site clearance thereby marking the project completion in the safest and efficient manner.

Benefits Delivered

• The test was carried out onsite in a very safe and controlled environment
• Quick span of time to achieve a high-end test of over 1000T
• Experienced Technical team provided on-site support