Jaso towers power global prefab construction boom

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction methodologies, the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method of construction is getting attention globally. PPVC construction involves the use of prefabricated modules, allowing for the assembly of fully finished modules at the construction site. Jaso Tower Cranes recognized the significance of PPVC and has tailored its crane offering to integrate with this method of construction.

Jaso has been adapting its tower crane range to enhance the efficiency and financial viability of PPVC module construction. Shown is a Shown are Jaso cranes working at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Singapore is a pioneer in adopting the PPVC construction method. Jaso has been working in this region for decades, and the company has developed specialized load charts tailored to the requirements of Singaporean PPVC projects, the company said. Jaso has also worked on PPVC projects in Spain and Canada.

Two Jaso tower cranes – a J560 and a J300 – were used to build the Gateway Building at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. The cranes were supplied by Allied Crane based in Vancouver, BC.

The completed building will comprise 270,550 square feet and has a price tag of CAD $18.91 million. The building is slated to finish in the fall of 2024, and will house schools associated with nursing, kinesiology and integrated student health services.

Utilizing PPVC modules

Tasked with erecting a PPVC-designed structure, the project demanded precision and control at a micro-level, according to Vinny Ficetola, sales manager at Allied Crane. The UBC project showcases the importance of local manufacturing and sustainable practices.

The precast modules were manufactured in Maple Ridge, Canada, and the building is sustainably designed with advanced mechanical systems, passive design strategies and a high performance envelope to reduce energy consumption. It was designed to meet the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard.

Jaso’s micro-speed functionality is especially beneficial in the PPVC method of construction, allowing for delicate movements essential for handling the PPVC modules with the utmost of care, according to Álvaro Urbistondo, ME, manager of North America for Jaso.

“Whether dealing with concrete, steel, a hybrid of concrete and steel PPVC modules, or the burgeoning popularity of wood PPVC modules combined with steel, our cranes are meticulously designed to cater to the diverse demands of different construction projects,” Urbistondo said.

Each PPVC module, regardless of its material composition, can weigh between 60 to 75 tons.

Jaso cranes working in Tengah, Singapore.

Streamlining operations with ECO-mode

Jaso recently introduced the ECO-Mode system, specifically developed to streamline the OPEX of PPVC module construction. This system ensures resource efficiency without compromising on the performance or safety of the cranes.

As well, Jaso cranes are equipped with Smartlink, a connectivity feature that facilitates remote crane control and enables seamless monitoring and control of the crane’s operations.

“The growing trend towards PPVC, particularly in Asia, has led to increased requests for cranes with heavy duty lifting capacities,” said Theodor Peter Huitema, area manager for Jaso. “As a response to this demand, Jaso designed the J1400 with an 80 meter-long jib and can lift a maximum load of 64 tons and 10.5 tons at tip load. The first four units of this model have been purchased by Singapore-headquartered Crane World Asia.”

Huitema says the demand for large tower cranes for PPVC projects extends beyond just Singapore. The company is also working on projects in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States, and markets like Sweden and the Netherlands also make use of large cranes to lift heavy pre-fab units. On a smaller scale, he noted, there are also pre-fab and pre-fabricated bathroom unit (PBU) projects in Chile and Spain, driving demand for cranes in the 500 to 700-ton class.

“This trend is set to grow because of an increasing lack of labor and more building with prefabricated modules,” Huitema said.