Case Study: “Groundbreaking” Rigging at Penn State

Revolutionizing Heavy Lifting with Air Chain Hoists

 

INTRODUCTION

Before students returned to Penn State’s campus for the new school year, Zartman Construction was given an incredible challenge. The Central Pennsylvania general construction company was tasked with repairing a sinkhole that had opened beneath a parking garage on campus. The damage jeopardized the structural integrity of the building. On-site, Zartman joined forces with Davis Construction and KCE Structural Engineers. Together, they provided the manpower and ingenuity needed to complete the project.

 

 The damaged parking garage on Penn State's campus.

 The damaged parking garage on Penn State’s campus.

THE CHALLENGE

The settlement had compromised a perimeter column and it’s surrounding parts. This created a structure with unclear structural integrity and unforeseen internal forces. This also posed a significant safety risk. Repairing the issue required precise handling of ten massive perimeter spandrels, each weighing over 30,000 pounds, and 29 double-T panels, each weighing over 42,000 pounds. All of this had to be done in a confined space, with the added challenge of reusing every piece of the parking garage that was removed. This project came with several challenges:

  1. Removing the Double-Ts:

    The double-Ts rested on a shelf on the interior L-beam and inside a bearing pocket on the exterior spandrel, so the team had to remove them at an angle. During the original erection, they used fixed-length rigging and worked without overhead obstructions. However, to avoid removing the interior L-beams and prevent the pieces from slipping off their supports on the lower side, Zartman’s needed a method to lift the double-Ts flat and rotate them in the air. Spoiler alert- that’s where the LGH air chain hoist was introduced.

  2. Removing Perimeter Spandrels: The damage of the footing and column caused unintended contact between the exterior spandrels. The team strategically lifted these spandrels to disconnect them safely and prevent unintended movement.
  3. Schedule: For safety reasons, the owner expected the project to take as long as needed to ensure safe execution. However, Zartman recognized the importance of not only making the structure safe but also restoring parking. Parking is one of the most valuable resources on a college campus, and Zartman prioritized bringing it back to full capacity.
A close-up of our chain hoist guiding the spandrels into place.

A close-up of our air chain hoist in action.

THE SOLUTION

The project team developed a detailed rigging plan. They worked alongside LGH’s Steven Klein to identify the optimal equipment for the job. The answer to these challenges was none other than LGH’s 20-ton air chain hoist. The hoist provided the precise control required to safely maneuver the spandrels and double-tees. It enabled the rigging team to lift the double-tees flat, rotate them to clear constraints, and then return them to a flat position for removal from the building and onsite storage. By eliminating the need to remove interior framing members, the air hoist significantly reduced the project schedule. It also ensured smooth disconnection of the exterior spandrels, minimizing the risk of unexpected movements.

Construction Superintendent Alex Zartman highlighted the hoist’s pivotal role:

“The air chain hoist is what gave us the ability to do that, which is where LGH came in… It was a big reason we got the job done as well as we did.”

The team utilized a Liebherr LTM-1400 and excellent operators from Sautter Crane. These tools, combined with Zartman Construction’s expertise, allowed the team to execute the project with confidence, precision, and no incidents.

THE RESULT

The team completed the project six weeks ahead of schedule and within budget, delivering a structurally safe and sound parking garage that opened to the public early in the school year. By leveraging LGH’s advanced rigging equipment, the team avoided removing internal structural elements, significantly reducing labor and material costs. The precision of LGH’s air chain hoist made sure the process was efficient and seamless, meeting all safety and quality standards without any issues.

Using our air chain hoist to guide the spandrels into place.

Seamlessly maneuvering the parking garage’s columns with our air chain hoist.

CONCLUSION

This project showed the power of collaboration, innovation, and the right tools. Zartman Construction and LGH worked together to overcome a high-stakes challenge. Combining construction expertise with cutting-edge equipment led to outstanding results. LGH’s air chain hoist played a key role in making this challenging project a success, showing just how effective it can be for tough structural repair jobs.

LGH EQUIPMENT USED:

20-ton air chain hoist.


ABOUT ZARTMAN:

Sometimes out Promised. Seldom Outperformed. At Zartman Construction, we are a full-service general contractor with the resources, integrity and commitment to meet your construction needs- to your complete satisfaction. Since 1973, we have built our reputation as one of the finest full-service companies in the industry, serving central Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

ABOUT LGH:

LGH holds North America’s largest inventory of lifting and rigging equipment, offering safe and efficient solutions for a variety of industries. With over 70,000 pieces of equipment and a network of locations across the U.S. and Canada, LGH is dedicated to supporting customers with the best rigging gear available.