Balanced Engineering & Construction
Balanced Engineering & Construction (BEC) transformed a 150-metre environmental compliance chimney into one of Taiwan’s most recognisable pieces of industrial architecture.
Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) envisioned two 150-metre environmental compliance chimneys that would become an architectural landmark, incorporating a distinctive bird-inspired form complete with a three-dimensional steel beak projecting from the upper section of each chimney.
Turning that vision into reality demanded integrated engineering, physical wind tunnel validation, precision fabrication, specialist heavy lifting and meticulous construction planning.
The project presented several engineering constraints:
The architectural beak measured approximately 14 metres across, weighed approximately 20 tonnes and had to be installed against the tapered face of a 150-metre hexagonal chimney.
Existing pipework and structural steel below the installation point prevented conventional lifting methods.
The tapered geometry of the chimney meant the assembly needed to remain under continuous control throughout the lift while maintaining precise alignment with the concrete structure.
Temporary access systems also had to be installed before the lift could even begin.
As part of the Taichung Combined Cycle Power Plant development in Taiwan, BEC was engaged by CTCI Corporation to design, fabricate and install a three-dimensional architectural beak onto a 150-metre environmental compliance chimney.
For chimneys exceeding 150 metres in height, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) requires physical wind tunnel testing in addition to analytical wind load calculations undertaken in accordance with Taiwanese and internationally recognised design codes.
The complete chimney geometry, including the architectural beak, was validated before construction commenced, ensuring the final design would perform under Taiwan’s demanding environmental conditions. (Read more about the wind tunnel testing here: https://be-con.com/behind-the-design-wind-tunnel-testing-taichung-chimneys/)
With the engineering validated, attention turned to constructability.
Working alongside our fabrication partner, AREA Energy Group, BEC developed an integrated fabrication and assembly strategy that considered every stage of delivery, from workshop trial assembly through transport, site reassembly and final installation.
Fabricated components first underwent a full trial assembly to verify geometry, fit-up and fabrication tolerances.
Only after the complete assembly had been validated was it dismantled into transportable sections for shipment to Taiwan.
Once on site, the beak was reassembled in preparation for the final lift.
By validating the assembly months before installation, BEC significantly reduced construction risk while ensuring every component would fit precisely during final installation.
The final lift required a bespoke methodology developed specifically for the project.
BEC engineered a hybrid lifting system combining strand jacks and chain blocks to control both vertical lifting loads and lateral forces generated by the tapered chimney geometry.
Purpose-designed removable sections allowed the assembly to safely pass existing pipework and structural steel that would otherwise have made a conventional lift impossible.
A bespoke wheel-guided lifting system maintained continuous contact with the chimney face, allowing precise positioning throughout the lift.
Extensive temporary access systems enabled the installation team to safely complete final fixation at elevation.
Every element was engineered as part of a single coordinated methodology rather than individual engineering solutions.
Today, the architectural beak has become one of the defining features of the Taichung skyline.
More importantly, the project demonstrates BEC’s ability to integrate engineering, fabrication, logistics, temporary works, specialist access and heavy lifting into a single coordinated delivery strategy.
The lift itself lasted only a short time.
The engineering behind it began many months earlier.
Explore the engineering methodology, technical challenges and specialist lifting solutions behind one of Taiwan’s most distinctive industrial construction projects.
BEC delivers specialist heavy lifting solutions for projects where conventional methodologies are no longer sufficient.
Our integrated approach combines:
Complex heavy lifts are rarely defined by what happens during the lift itself. Success is determined by the engineering, planning and coordination completed months beforehand. That’s where BEC delivers its greatest value.
Taiwan Power Company
CTCI Corporation
Taiwan
June, 2026
+(65) 6778 6858
sales@be-con.com
BEC specialises in vertical structures within the energy infrastructure sector. Our expertise as an EPC contractor and unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier, innovative solutions sets us apart.
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