How Skyscraper Cranes Get Taller

Ever wondered how tower cranes (the kind used to build skyscrapers) get taller? They build themselves using a method called "climbing." Here's how it works:

1. Base Setup: The crane is first anchored to a solid concrete base and starts at a modest height.

2. Climbing Frame: It has a special section called a climbing frame or climber.

3. Add a Section: When it’s time to grow, the crane lifts its own top section slightly using hydraulic jacks, creating a gap in the middle.

4. Insert a New Mast Section: Workers slide in a new steel mast section into that gap.

5. Repeat: The crane sets the new piece in place, locks it in, and then lifts itself again. This can be repeated over and over until the crane reaches the needed height.

So basically, the crane lifts itself and grows piece by piece, like a giant LEGO tower!