14 January 2005
On the 12th of January, 2005, Manchester's B of the Bang was offically launched at a memorable opening ceremony.
Gold medal winning athlete Linford Christie, whose famous words inspired the sculpture's name, was joined at the event by football stars Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) and Joey Barton (Manchester City).
Christie was on hand to turn on the sculpture's lights for the first time, after which the crowd was treated to a spectacular firework display over the sculpture.
We have posted a selection of images from the event which give a taste of the impressive display and the newly illuminated sculpture.
Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image. Hover to see a description.
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Gold medal winning athlete Linford Christie, whose famous words inspired the sculpture's name, was joined at the event by football stars Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) and Joey Barton (Manchester City).
Christie was on hand to turn on the sculpture's lights for the first time, after which the crowd was treated to a spectacular firework display over the sculpture.
We have posted a selection of images from the event which give a taste of the impressive display and the newly illuminated sculpture.
Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image. Hover to see a description.
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11 January 2005
On Tuesday the 4th of January, the project team was informed that a tip section from one of the spikes had become detached. A full investigation was immediately initiated.
Preliminary laboratory investigations suggested that the spike had failed in a circumferential weld region.
Two lines of investigation are currently being pursued:
Firstly, to monitor the movement of the spikes to confirm that their behaviour is as predicted by the calculations. Weather permitting, this investigation will be completed by next week.
Secondly, we are carrying out laboratory tests on the failed section of spike and conducting site inspection of other spikes.
The investigation so far has shown that the potential problem is confined to the tip section of 53 out of the 180 spikes. We have already begun action to replace the welds affected, whilst simultaneously examining further samples at the laboratory to confirm the initial findings.
Below is a photograph of the failed spike section and some microscope images from the laboratory examination.
More information will be posted as the investigations continue.
Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the image. Hover to see a description.
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Preliminary laboratory investigations suggested that the spike had failed in a circumferential weld region.
Two lines of investigation are currently being pursued:
Firstly, to monitor the movement of the spikes to confirm that their behaviour is as predicted by the calculations. Weather permitting, this investigation will be completed by next week.
Secondly, we are carrying out laboratory tests on the failed section of spike and conducting site inspection of other spikes.
The investigation so far has shown that the potential problem is confined to the tip section of 53 out of the 180 spikes. We have already begun action to replace the welds affected, whilst simultaneously examining further samples at the laboratory to confirm the initial findings.
Below is a photograph of the failed spike section and some microscope images from the laboratory examination.
More information will be posted as the investigations continue.
Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the image. Hover to see a description.
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09 December 2004
Following yesterday's site visit, here are the latest pictures of B of the Bang after the removal of its scaffolding (see picture 1).
Picture 2 shows the cleaning of the sculpture in progress. The two people in the suspended cradle give a good impression of the sculpture's size.
Meanwhile, down at ground level, good progress is being made on the civil engineering groundworks and resurfacing (see picture 3).
The final three photographs were taken from the roof of the ASDA supermarket across the road from the City of Manchester Stadium, showing B of the Bang in its context and against the backdrop of a beautiful Manchester sunset.
Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image. Hover to see a description.
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Picture 2 shows the cleaning of the sculpture in progress. The two people in the suspended cradle give a good impression of the sculpture's size.
Meanwhile, down at ground level, good progress is being made on the civil engineering groundworks and resurfacing (see picture 3).
The final three photographs were taken from the roof of the ASDA supermarket across the road from the City of Manchester Stadium, showing B of the Bang in its context and against the backdrop of a beautiful Manchester sunset.
Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image. Hover to see a description.
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06 December 2004
All of the scaffolding around B of the Bang has now been dismantled and, over the next few days, the final cleaning of the sculpture will take place.
Now that the site is clear of scaffolding, the final phase of civil engineering groundworks can begin.
Installation and testing of the lighting system is ongoing.
New photographs will be posted on Thursday.
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Now that the site is clear of scaffolding, the final phase of civil engineering groundworks can begin.
Installation and testing of the lighting system is ongoing.
New photographs will be posted on Thursday.
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01 December 2004
As of today, only three spikes remain to be fitted to the B of the Bang's core, their location visible in the second photograph below (note the two spikes laid horizontally on the scaffolding).
The scaffolding is being steadily dismantled, with platforms changing to suit the pattern of work (see third picture).
The final photograph shows a site drawing used by the installation team, with attached spikes marked in green.
Click on the thumbnail below to enlarge the image. Hover to see a description.
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The scaffolding is being steadily dismantled, with platforms changing to suit the pattern of work (see third picture).
The final photograph shows a site drawing used by the installation team, with attached spikes marked in green.
Click on the thumbnail below to enlarge the image. Hover to see a description.
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22 November 2004
Alfa Construction, the company responsible for the B of the Bang's on-site assembly, has today reported that just 14 more spikes are left to be attached.
Adaptations to the scaffold structure are ongoing, in order to give access to the remaining spike locations.
Unfortunately, the current spell of poor weather (both wind and rain) continues to slow progress.
However, work on the sculpture's lighting installation has begun on site. Once completed, this will ensure that B of the Bang is as spectacular by night as it already is by day.
Click on the thumbnail below to enlarge the image.
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Adaptations to the scaffold structure are ongoing, in order to give access to the remaining spike locations.
Unfortunately, the current spell of poor weather (both wind and rain) continues to slow progress.
However, work on the sculpture's lighting installation has begun on site. Once completed, this will ensure that B of the Bang is as spectacular by night as it already is by day.
Click on the thumbnail below to enlarge the image.
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15 November 2004
Today the Lord Mayor and children from three local schools visited the construction site to place a time capsule in one of the sculpture's spikes.
The pupils assembled paintings, photographs and written work for the capsule, which will preserve their impressions of East Manchester for future generations.
Manchester's Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, joined the schoolchildren to place the capsule into a spike that was later welded into place (see the first picture, below). The participating schools were St Brigid's primary, the School of the Resurrection and Ravensbury primary.
Also pictured is site engineer David Flynn, of William Hare, preparing the time capsule and spike for installation.
Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.
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The pupils assembled paintings, photographs and written work for the capsule, which will preserve their impressions of East Manchester for future generations.
Manchester's Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, joined the schoolchildren to place the capsule into a spike that was later welded into place (see the first picture, below). The participating schools were St Brigid's primary, the School of the Resurrection and Ravensbury primary.
Also pictured is site engineer David Flynn, of William Hare, preparing the time capsule and spike for installation.
Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.
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