Potains in ‘smart’ housing block construction

The development is the country’s first ‘smart’ housing block and incorporates a number of eco-friendly design features, such as energy-efficient elevators and waste chutes for recyclable materials. It features 12 blocks: five of 25 storeys, two of 24 storeys and five of 20 storeys.

Contractor Ken-Pal has rented 10 MCT 385 topless tower cranes and two MC 310 tower cranes (one of the K12 and one of the K16 variety) from Potain dealer Manta Equipment.

The Potain MCT 385 cranes are at the center of the work. With a maximum capacity of 20t and maximum radius of 75m, the cranes can comfortably lift the heavy precast components and steel reinforcement used in the project. Loads weigh between 1t and 10t, and the precast concrete blocks come in a range of shapes and sizes, forming the walls, facades, shelters, ledges and more in the housing blocks’ design.

Benjamin Goh, marketing manager for Manta Equipment, said: “With 12 cranes on site, space can get quite congested, so the MCT 385’s topless design offers better overlapping and efficiency of operations. The compact mast and jib, as well as a streamlined counter-jib, enhance the cranes’ ability to work in urban projects like the Punggol Northshore Residences.”

Some smart technologies in the new development include: a parking area which monitors demand; a pneumatic waste conveyance system which tracks disposal and recycling; sensor-controlled lighting with predictive data analytics to understand human traffic patterns; and fans which automatically adjust to changes in wind speed, temperature or numbers of people.