A Potain tower crane has been selected to restore the world famous building, Le Panthéon in Paris, France. The crane has been mounted on a custom-built metal frame surrounding the historic landmark, and will spend 16-months carefully lifting construction materials to rebuild the fragile building’s dome roof, which dates back to 1790.
The 8 t capacity Potain MDT 178 was supplied to the renovation project by Arcomet, the world’s largest independent tower crane rental company.
Le Panthéon’s fragile structure and historical significance has added to the importance of the project. It requires careful and precise construction, which is why the Potain tower crane was selected for the job, as Ludovic Delcourt, president of Arcomet, explains:
“This iconic building’s restoration must be faultless and Potain cranes have a long history of impeccable quality and performance,” he says. “The crane also features excellent strength when working in a free-standing configuration, complemented by a small footprint, which is crucial at this cramped job site. Adding to the crane’s capabilities is the responsive team at Manitowoc Crane Care who help out whenever needed. We are proud to be a part of this historic restoration.”
The MDT 178 is operating on a temporary metal frame that surrounds the 50 m tall dome of the building at a height of 40 m. The 300 t frame acts as a platform from which the building’s famous dome will be restored. It also elevates the crane to the required working height without the requirement of anchoring it to the building, which was not possible due to the damage this might cause.
Mounted on the frame, the Potain crane has a height under hook of 100 m and is fitted with a 55 m jib. The MDT 178 will lift general construction materials and more than 200 m3 of stone to restore the building’s trademark dome.
During the planning stage of the restoration project, main contractor and France’s leading renovation specialist, Lefevre Renovation, considered using a mobile crane. But the company chose a tower crane because it is far less disruptive and is a more flexible option for the job site, as Jean-Claude Guiter, key accounts director at Manitowoc, explains:
“The tower crane brings fluidity to the project,” he says. “A mobile crane would have to make bigger lifts, less regularly. That takes more planning and increases the risk of damaging this famous building. The Potain MDT 178 only lifts materials as and when required. It offers complete coverage of the site without any risk. It’s the perfect solution.”
The two-year restoration project is due to complete by the end of 2014.
Potain’s MDT 178 is a mid-range top-slewing city crane that offers a maximum jib length of 60 m, at which it can lift up to 1.5 t.
Arcomet operates a global fleet of more than 1,800 tower cranes, which it supplies to large- and small-scale projects around the world.
Le Panthéon is widely considered to be an architectural masterpiece. Originally a church, it is now a national monument and the resting place of many of France’s most prestigious figures.