Mammoet Deploys SK Series Crane for Modular Construction of Zayed National Museum
30-Second Takeaway
Mammoet has deployed its SK series high-capacity land-based crane to support modular construction of the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. Operating with a 135 metre main boom, the crane performed lifts of up to 612 tonnes at radii exceeding 150 metres, enabling safe and efficient installation of complex prefabricated modules within a live and congested construction site.
Mammoet SK Crane at Zayed National Museum
Mammoet has utilised its SK series crane to support the construction of the Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, the museum forms a centrepiece of the Saadiyat Cultural District. The structure features five wing-shaped towers inspired by falconry, creating significant architectural and structural complexity.
To manage this complexity, the project team adopted a modular construction approach, prefabricating major elements such as gallery pods and wing structures offsite. This reduced work at height, improved safety and accelerated installation timelines.
Engineering the Lifting Strategy
Mammoet was engaged early in the project by the BESIX and Trojan General Contracting joint venture to develop a comprehensive lifting strategy.
Although a crawler crane was initially considered, detailed site assessments identified significant constraints:
Congested work zones
Ongoing parallel construction activities
Limited ground footprint
Restricted access routes
In response, Mammoet engineers proposed the SK series crane as a more efficient and adaptable solution.
Long Outreach for Congested Sites
Mammoet SK Series Crane
One of the key advantages of the SK crane system is its long outreach capability combined with high lifting capacity.
By positioning the crane away from the busiest work zones, Mammoet was able to:
Reduce congestion at ground level
Maintain safe lifting operations
Minimise disruption to surrounding activities
Enable simultaneous construction phases
The crane operated with a 135 metre main boom, executing lifts of up to 612 tonnes at radii exceeding 150 metres.
Such performance allowed heavy modular elements to be installed deep within the structure without repositioning the crane multiple times — a critical factor in maintaining project efficiency.
Flexible Configuration: SK350 to SK190
The project required the crane to adapt to evolving site conditions.
Mammoet initially deployed the crane in an SK350 configuration, later reconfiguring it to an SK190 setup to align with changing footprint requirements and construction sequencing.
Despite the configuration change, the crane maintained the same 135 metre main boom length, ensuring consistent lifting performance throughout different project phases.
This modular crane system architecture enabled rapid reconfiguration while preserving high capacity and stability.
Precision Lifting with Custom Rigging
Given the irregular geometry of the wing structures and gallery pods, precision positioning was essential.
Mammoet implemented custom adjustable rigging systems using strand jacks, allowing:
Controlled tilting of modules
Precise alignment within tight spaces
Stable load management during rotation
Enhanced installation accuracy
This engineered lifting approach supported safe and efficient module installation while maintaining ground stability and reducing the need for extensive site preparation.
Modular Construction Meets High-Capacity Lifting
The Zayed National Museum project demonstrates how high-capacity land-based cranes can enable complex architectural builds through modular construction techniques.
By reducing onsite assembly at height and lifting large prefabricated components directly
into final position, the project team improved:
Safety performance
Installation speed
Construction sequencing efficiency
Site logistics management
The deployment underscores the growing role of advanced lifting strategies in delivering landmark cultural and infrastructure developments worldwide.
About Mammoet
Mammoet is a global engineered heavy lifting and transport specialist providing high-capacity crane solutions and modular lifting strategies for complex infrastructure, energy and industrial projects worldwide.
Website: https://www.mammoet.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane did Mammoet deploy at Zayed National Museum?
Mammoet deployed its SK series high-capacity land-based crane.
What was the maximum lift performed?
The crane lifted up to 612 tonnes at radii exceeding 150 metres.
Why was the SK crane chosen instead of a crawler crane?
Site congestion and surrounding construction activities made the long-reach SK crane a more efficient solution.
What configurations were used?
The crane operated first as an SK350 and later as an SK190, both with a 135 metre main boom.
How were irregular modules positioned precisely?
Custom adjustable rigging with strand jacks enabled controlled tilting and precise placement.
