The Toulouse monument to the fallen combatants of Haute-Garonne during the First World War has been moved from its usual location to begin work on the C subway.
Sarens was in charge of moving the 15-meter-high, 1,370-ton memorial over 30 meters to be temporarily stored until it is reinstalled once the works have been completed.
The memorial was placed on three 19-axle SPMTs, a set of 228 wheels connected by a transverse axle, designed specifically for this type of task, and also protected by an exoskeleton to prevent damage.
The Toulouse monument to the fallen combatants of Haute-Garonne during the First World War has been moved from its usual site to begin work on the C subway. The building, which dates from 1928, has been moved by three 19-axle trailers to a temporary location on August 31st, and the transfer was broadcast to the public on three giant screens installed nearby, an unprecedented event.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, was in charge of moving the 15-meter-high, 1,370-ton memorial. The building was moved 30 meters and rotated 90 degrees to be temporarily stored until its reinstallation in another part of the city of Haut-Garonne, after the completion of the works on Metro Line C.
Sarens technical team had to develop a transport frame to avoid damaging the monument while lifting it 1.60 meters off the ground. To do this, it was placed on 3 times 19-axle self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), a set of 228 wheels connected by a transverse axle, designed specifically for this type of task, and also protected by an exoskeleton to prevent damage to its façade.
As Baptiste Michaud, Key Account Manager Projects, points out, "These operations are always carried out with the utmost care since the acceleration and horizontality thresholds tolerated by this type of buildings are very low. In fact, each trailer is equipped with its own engine. Thanks to their hydraulic systems, these trailers can adjust the height and stability of the load during transport, adapting to the terrain".
The transport vehicles, which were brought in by special convoys and assembled on site, had to be controlled by a remote-control system in a coordinated manner. Thanks to the combined efforts of the three Sarens operators, it took two hours for the building to reach the site at a speed of less than 1 km/h.
"The extensive experience of our team of operators represented a key element in the success of this project. After having achieved other feats, such as the transport of a 3,000-ton bridge 180 meters long in one piece, different parts for a Boeing 727 or entire modules for factories and refineries in different parts of the world, Sarens demonstrates once again that it has the necessary innovative machinery and the best qualified team of professionals to undertake operations of this magnitude", adds Baptiste Michaud.
Sarens has a long track record in projects that have required enormous care in transport operations. This is the case of the transport of the 20-ton solar boat from the ancient Khufu Boat Museum in Egypt for 10 km to the Great Egyptian Museum. Also noteworthy is the assembly of the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2), the structure that will be used to launch the Space Launch System rocket of NASA's Artemis Program.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 4,543 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors.