How to move a 900-ton brick building

19 octubre 2007

The structural moving industry is not a new or far-fetched idea. Moving structures is a long-standing technique for "recycling" the materials and labor invested in construction. It also saves landfill space. Used buildings can be salvaged, restored, and enjoyed in new settings. Moving a building often costs less than new construction, and preserves owner equity [1].

Peter Green House, at Brown University (US), was moved last summer in one piece and landed in its new home, approximately 450 feet further. The relocation was part of a plan to implement linked green spaces:


House movers experts use an unified hydraulic jacking system that can accommodate from one to thirty-eight 100 ton rams in unison. This system is essential when making large, irregular lifts.


Recently, 'Mega Movers', a History Channel's program, showed how the Matyiko brothers - a legendary Mega Mover family - moved a 900-tonne brick building in Massachusetts, to its new location:


In Harvard, three 19th century buildings were moved to a new location and were rolled down the road at the same time, heading north on hydraulic lifts at 2 miles per hour. You can check it out at this gallery and the next video:


Finally, I invite you to see the moving of a 100 year old church in Iowa, the Trinity Lutheran Church, from the National Geographic's documentary 'Monster Moves'. Just wonderful:

See also: Sea Giants

7 Respuestas ( Deja un comentario )

  1. Anónimo dijo...
  2. That's pretty crazy. Similar to moving a Lighthouse on the North Carolina Coast due to shore erosion.

  3. Anónimo dijo...
  4. I think it's possible because American buildings are made of paper, they have no basement. I doubt if it's possible to move an ordinary brick house with basement.

  5. Anónimo dijo...
  6. American buildings are made of paper? Did you even read the text above? In one video they are moving a 900 tonne building! That's quite amazing!

    Also, where do you live that an ordinary house is brick and has a basement? They aren't moving ordinary houses, they are moving large buildings!

  7. B. Durbin dijo...
  8. Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington once moved the administration building a matter of several blocks. However, this was done in the early 20th century, so the techniques were undoubtedly more primitive.

    And my hometown of Sacramento moved its youth hostel— a large Victorian— not once, but twice (the second time back to the original location!)

    Building motion is fun.

  9. Anónimo dijo...
  10. How much does it cost to do it?

  11. Anónimo dijo...
  12. Good Job! :)

  13. Anónimo dijo...
  14. Excellent! Very good idea! :)

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