John Laing building archive photos

[Varche]

Interesting old photos of landmarks we all know being built.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51034911

[Lizzie Zoom]

Very interesting!

I watched the various stages of the 2nd Severn Crossing being built and it was fascinating. The huge gantries and mechanical apparatus used to move very large sections of the road structure was amazing

[Varche]

Glad someone found it interesting.

Lizzie, have you seen the giant bridge constructing machines they have in China? If you havent have a google on Utube. The Victorians would have loved such technology.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Glad someone found it interesting.

Lizzie, have you seen the giant bridge constructing machines they have in China? If you havent have a google on Utube. The Victorians would have loved such technology.

Oh yes, anything to do with heavy construction I love Varche!

Wow!!   Just watched this as recommended:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrTL8_42rLs

Now that IS really impressive!   Stevenson and Brunel would have loved that toy.  How that has changed the design, materials used and the method of construction.  I wonder if that machine, or it's like, will be used in the construction of HS2, if it goes ahead?

As for the old photographs that exist of large construction projects, like for buildings, bridges, tunnels, railways, and roads, I find it fascinating how it was done during the past, and the lack of any H&S  consideration.  The life of a common labourer was considered "expendable" and all part of the "costs" of getting the job done!

[Marks DTM Calib]

I guess I was fortunate in my previous job with visiting some of the worlds largest shipyards (Jurong - Singapore, Raffles - China, Cosco Shanghai - China, Longxue Island - China, Ecovix - Brasil).

Its here that you see the REALLY big moves, craning mega blocks around using the worlds largest travelling gantry cranes and crane barges it something else.

Also seeing how they fill gaps with weld when they don't quite align!

[Lizzie Zoom]

I guess I was fortunate in my previous job with visiting some of the worlds largest shipyards (Jurong - Singapore, Raffles - China, Cosco Shanghai - China, Longxue Island - China, Ecovix - Brasil).

Its here that you see the REALLY big moves, craning mega blocks around using the worlds largest travelling gantry cranes and crane barges it something else.

Also seeing how they fill gaps with weld when they don't quite align!

Ah, yes.  Shipbuilding. How that has changed from the days of building them up from the keel.

Now, even the likes of the huge Queen Elizabeth Class RN carriers are built in sections, complete, and rolled into position, section by section.  What a fabulous sight!    

[Doctor Gollum]

How do you think those sections are built? They don't start at the top

[Marks DTM Calib]

How do you think those sections are built? They don't start at the top

They rarely start at the bottom on the blocks either!

[Marks DTM Calib]

I should add, they often build the blocks basic structure upside down, then rotate, further welding/fab, add the major components (engines, switchboard, motor, gen, transformer, etc), close off and move to the dry dock for fit.

[Lizzie Zoom]

I should add, they often build the blocks basic structure upside down, then rotate, further welding/fab, add the major components (engines, switchboard, motor, gen, transformer, etc), close off and move to the dry dock for fit.

Exactly, which is vastly different than the "traditional" method of shipbuilding. Much of it in the early stages done under cover.  All very impressive.

[STEMO]

I should add, they often build the blocks basic structure upside down, then rotate, further welding/fab, add the major components (engines, switchboard, motor, gen, transformer, etc), close off and move to the dry dock for fit.

Exactly, which is vastly different than the "traditional" method of shipbuilding. Much of it in the early stages done under cover.  All very impressive.

Undercover as they put a tarpaulin over it, or undercover as in they keep it secret?

[Lizzie Zoom]

I should add, they often build the blocks basic structure upside down, then rotate, further welding/fab, add the major components (engines, switchboard, motor, gen, transformer, etc), close off and move to the dry dock for fit.

Exactly, which is vastly different than the "traditional" method of shipbuilding. Much of it in the early stages done under cover.  All very impressive.

Undercover as they put a tarpaulin over it, or undercover as in they keep it secret?

Very funny

No, in construction sheds like this:
https://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en_GB/tata-steel-case-studies/transport/HMS-Queen-Elizabeth

And :

https://www.naval-technology.com/news/newshms-queen-elizabeths-construction-nears-completion/

Impressive eh.

[STEMO]

I'll get back to you. I'm busy discussing politics.......kind of.

[ronnyd]

I'll get back to you. I'm busy discussing politics.......kind of.

More disgusting that discussing really.