How to move a 900-ton brick building

The structural moving industry is not a new or far-fetched idea. Moving structures is a long-standing technique for "recycling" the materials and labor invested in construction. It also saves landfill space. Used buildings can be salvaged, restored, and enjoyed in new settings. Moving a building often costs less than new construction, and preserves owner equity [1].

Peter Green House, at Brown University (US), was moved last summer in one piece and landed in its new home, approximately 450 feet further. The relocation was part of a plan to implement linked green spaces:

House movers experts use an unified hydraulic jacking system that can accommodate from one to thirty-eight 100 ton rams in unison. This system is essential when making large, irregular lifts.


Recently, 'Mega Movers', a History Channel's program, showed how the Matyiko brothers - a legendary Mega Mover family - moved a 900-tonne brick building in Massachusetts, to its new location:

In Harvard, three 19th century buildings were moved to a new location and were rolled down the road at the same time, heading north on hydraulic lifts at 2 miles per hour. You can check it out at this gallery and the next video:

Finally, I invite you to see the moving of a 100 year old church in Iowa, the Trinity Lutheran Church, from the National Geographic's documentary 'Monster Moves'. Just wonderful:

See also: Sea Giants