Five-Million-Pound Structure Lifted Using High-Precision Hydraulic Cylinders and Motion Control by Power Team

Overview

Structural lifting projects involving occupied or adjacent buildings demand extreme control and repeatability. In this application, a multi‑million‑pound parking structure was incrementally lifted to allow steel installation beneath the structure, then safely lowered back into position using a synchronized hydraulic cylinder and motion control system. 

The Challenge

A five‑million‑pound parking structure adjacent to an office building development needed to be lifted to allow a steel support structure to be installed underneath. The lift had to be performed in precise 1/16‑inch increments, followed by controlled lowering once the steel installation was complete.
 
The extreme weight of the structure and proximity to an active construction site required precise load distribution and movement control. Uneven lifting or uncontrolled lowering could result in structural damage, misalignment, or safety risks to surrounding infrastructure.

Solution Presented

28 Power Team R2808L hydraulic cylinders were installed beneath the structure and connected through 4‑port hydraulic manifolds integrated with a Motion Control System (MCS). The system enabled synchronized lifting in 1/16‑inch increments and provided precise control during the lowering phase, ensuring uniform load movement across all lift points. 

Results

The hydraulic lifting solution allowed the parking structure to be elevated incrementally with consistent control at each lift point. After the steel structure was installed, the load was lowered smoothly and accurately back into place, maintaining alignment and structural integrity throughout the process.
 
The synchronized hydraulic system enabled repeatable 1/16‑inch lift increments across all 28 lifting points, minimizing differential movement during elevation. Controlled lowering through the Motion Control System reduced the risk of shock loading and misalignment, supporting safe execution of a multi‑million‑pound structural lift in a confined construction environment.

Other Applications

• Structural lifting and shoring
• Parking structure modification
• Building elevation for retrofit or expansion
• High‑precision multi‑point hydraulic lifting

Key Metrics

System Impact & Engineering Advancements

Performance Metrics & Key Achievements

1mm Accuracy

28

Lifting Points

Reduced Shock Load

Reduced Misalignment

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