How Kajima Managed Operations During the Typhoon in Osaka

In August 2024, Typhoon Shanshan hit Osaka with strong winds and heavy rain, causing significant disruptions across the region. For construction companies, storms like this bring a range of challenges, from high winds that make on-site operations risky to heavy rain that can damage materials and equipment. Kajima, one of Japan’s leading construction and civil engineering companies, was during the typhoon managing a complex subway construction project where two tunnel lines merge in one of Osaka’s busiest urban areas. With the site full of highways, viaducts, and buildings, protecting both the project and surrounding infrastructure became their top priority. “They were able to plan ahead for the safety measures because of your live forecasting system. No major problems happened,” reported one of the representant of innovation department after the event. Kajima’s team, using Archiwind Live’s forecasting system made timely, informed decisions to protect workers and assets, keeping operations under control throughout the storm.

The Impact of Typhoon Shanshan

The Urban Challenge

What made this site particularly demanding wasn’t just the typhoon – it was the location. The construction team was working in a tightly confined urban space, managing: • Heavy structural materials like steel beams and precast concrete panels • Critical equipment including excavators and generators • Building components and HVAC systems With such limited space, any wind-blown debris could potentially impact surrounding buildings or, worse, the adjacent highways and viaducts.

Simulation run with Archiwind of the Area

Real Time Decision Making

As the storm approached, Kajima had to deal with rapidly changing conditions, with wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s (36 km/h)—the threshold for stopping all on-site operations, including crane work. But making this call at the right moment required precise, real-time data. Using Archiwind Live’s forecasting system, the team could: • Track wind speeds specific to their location • Anticipate dangerous conditions before they developed • Make proactive decisions about securing equipment and materials

Indicative picture of the Archiwind Live feature

Outcome

This experience highlighted both the benefits and challenges of dealing with extreme weather. Having clear, easy-to-read wind data in 1 m/s increments allowed the team to know exactly when to stop work and ensure everyone’s safety. The localized forecasts from Archiwind Live were much more practical than general weather reports, as they focused on real-time conditions at the construction site. While the typhoon presented challenges, Kajima’s careful planning and accurate wind forecasts helped minimize equipment damage and limit downtime. The collaboration between Kajima’s expertise and Archiwind Live ensured smooth and safe operations under difficult conditions.

Next Steps:

Moving forward, the insights gained from real-world use during events like Typhoon Shanshan will guide future improvements to Archiwind Live. Planned enhancements include more advanced wind speed displays and alert systems, ensuring that tools like Archiwind Live continue to be indispensable for companies like Kajima, who depend on accurate forecasting to maintain safety and efficiency during all types of weather.