CAN uses innovative rigging to mount a blue whale skeleton exhibit
Project summary
In 2017, CAN, an RSK company, created an updated display for a historic exhibit of a blue whale skeleton for the Natural History Museum. Using innovative techniques, engineers mounted the 85–year–old skeleton onto the roof trusses of the Hintze Hall. CAN helped to create a magnificent exhibit for visitors of the Natural History Museum to enjoy for generations to come.
READ MORE- 126 years Age of the whale skeleton
- 85 years Time displayed in the Natural History Museum
- 4.5 tonnes Weight of skeleton
- 25.2 metres Length of skeleton
The background
In 1891, a local fisherman found a gigantic blue whale stranded on a beach in Wexford, Ireland. After watching it struggle in the shallows, the fisherman put the whale down and sold its carcass for £111. The Natural History Museum later purchased the skeleton in 1932, naming it ‘Hope’. Hope was then displayed in the Mammal Hall until 2017, when the museum announced that she would be moved to form the main exhibit and become a magnificent sight for visitors as they enter the building. The aim was for Hope to act “as a symbol of humanity’s power to shape a sustainable future”.
The plan for the display was to suspend Hope and her armature from cables in a diving motion, mimicking a whale’s behaviour when feeding on krill in the wild. The construction would be anchored to the museum’s roof trusses.
RSK company CAN was contracted to complete a full dimensional survey of the Hintze Hall roof trusses and to subsequently mount and permanently install the new exhibit.
The challenges
The main challenge in this project was the immense weight of the whale. At 4.5 tonnes, this skeleton could risk overloading the old Victorian museum roof trusses while it was secured into place. CAN engineers had to find a solution to ensure the safety and stability of the exhibit.
The solutions
The team worked in the Hintze Hall while restoration work on the skeleton was carried out by curators, conservation teams and engineers in an off-site warehouse.
To avoid placing undue stress on single trusses during the installation, CAN technicians used mechanical, hand-operated Tirfor winches to make real-time adjustments to each of the ten individually manned roof truss lifting locations. They used armature anchors specially designed to swivel, allowing the display to be adjusted without overloading an individual roof truss. By adding load cells to each of the lifting rigs, the project engineers were able to communicate using Wi-Fi with a remote control station. On the ground, a CAN lift supervisor monitored the operation for optimal results. After raising, fixing and positioning Hope, CAN installed permanent cables, securing her into her new home in the museum.
The impacts
This project brought great benefit to the Natural History Museum and its visitors, creating a magnificent display to be admired for many years to come. “Hope is the only blue whale skeleton in the world to be hung in the diving lunge feeding position,” said Lorraine Cornish, the museum’s head of conservation. “Suspending such a large, complex and historic specimen from a Victorian ceiling was always going to be challenging, but we were determined to show her in as lifelike a position as possible. We are thrilled that the result is truly spectacular.”
This week, some of the team from RSK Africa took part in the Run for Autism Marathon in Dar e Salaam. The event was led by the Lukiza Autism Foundation for which RSK Tanzania are proud sponsors of for the second time!
All proceeds go towards the research and treatment of Autism to enhance the quality of life for individuals on the Autism Spectrum, including their families.
#RSKGroup #RunForAutism #LukizaAutismFoundation
Discover how Steven Carmody is using his experience and knowledge to encourage the next generation. 💡
Steven recently told us why we need to embrace change to engineer our future workforce.
The managing director of RSK Group company SCP says that “It’s great that colleges now offer courses and apprenticeships that provide people with an alternative way to learn the skills they need and earn money at the same time. Yes, the process may take longer than a degree might, but both can be hugely rewarding experiences.”
🌟 Follow us to learn more about opportunities with The RSK Group
#RSKGroup #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers
Join us for the first webinar in our Power On series. ⚡
📅 20th May
⏰ 14:30pm BST
This webinar brings together our strategy experts, for a lively discussion that pinpoints key considerations for the strategic planning of development projects in the run up to elections and potential changes to government.
Join our expert speakers to learn more!
#RSKPowerOn #Renewables #EnergyDevelopment
The @rskbiocensus team have recently been on-site in North Yorkshire, installing barn owl boxes as part of mitigation for an infrastructure project.
The boxes were installed on suitable trees within ideal barn owl hunting habitat by aerial-rescue trained tree climbers, Joseph and Claire.
Keep up the great work! 👏
#RSKGroup #SelfiesOnSite #BarnOwls #Ecology #Nestbox
@bea.tann.landscape has been chosen to design this year`s garden for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. 🌻
Bea’s garden, which is sponsored by RSK Group, is inspired by her love of woodlands and fairytales.
The graduate landscape architect at ADAS said, “I grew up in Cheshire and have always loved the woodlands of Macclesfield Forest. The feeling of being in a woodland is relaxing and calm – I wanted to try and emulate that feeling within my garden to bring a bit of magic into our homes.”
Congratulations Bea 👏
#RSKGroup #RHSShows #RHSHamptonCourt #sustainableDesign #SustainabilityGarden
We are delighted to launch the RSK Power On Energy series ⚡
RSK Power On helps renewable energy developers, across various technologies, break through barriers faced throughout the development project life cycle.
To download our insightful guide or sign up to one of our live webinars led by industry experts follow the link in our bio
#RSKPowerOn #Renewables #Energy #OffShoreWind #OnShoreWind
Join our latest Down to Earth webinar to dive into the world of sustainable construction with RSK Geosciences
In this webinar we will explore:
🍃 Circular economy principles in the construction process
🍃 Strategies to minimise waste
🍃 Strategies to maximise resource efficiency and transform traditional construction practices.
Join our expert speaker Rachel Hill to learn more!
#RSKGroup #CircularEconomy #Construction
Discover how Jack is building his future with an apprenticeship 🌟
Jack Ford recently told us about his experience as an apprentice with RoC Consulting and his hopes for the future.
He says that “Working at RoC Consulting means being part of something much bigger than me. Knowing that projects I work on could have an impact on the planet long after I’ve gone is really special. I want to make a difference, and I like to think this is my way of doing so.”
Follow the link in bio to learn more about Jack`s experience.
#RSKGroup #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers #CivilEngineering #EngineeringApprenticeship
Exciting news for RSK Biocensus!
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural (Defra) has appointed RSK Biocensus and the RSK Wilding team as a `responsible body` to work with landowners and developers for conservation and biodiversity.
Senior Legal Adviser Natalie Bryce advised that “Our shared goal is for the landowner to be able to protect, conserve or enhance the land as they wish and get the planning permissions they need if BNG is needed for a development.”
Follow us for more updates from our RSK Group companies
#RSKGroup #Conservation #Biodiversity #Defra