A large capacity "Liebherr LHM 400" crane was custom built for the container terminal wharf of Panama Ports Company in the Port of Cristóbal, city of Colón, at the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. During operation, the crane sits on four outriggers designed to be placed in the concrete deck of Berth 9 directly above a row of piers on one side and above a retaining wall on the other side.

The retaining wall also works as a spread footing and was placed on top of wooden piles. The structure was built around 1913 with various degrees of structural enhancements documented in the 80s. However, the axial capacity of the retaining wall could not be accurately computed with the amount of available information.

The operation of the crane was thus limited to movements that would avoid overloading the retaining wall. Axial load tests at different location along the retaining wall were performed as proof tests of the existing foundation system. All tests were performed by Lymon C. Reese & Associates (LCR&A) under two separate contracts with Dillon Construction, Inc. (DCI). These tests are part of contracts between DCI and Panama Ports Company (PPC). The consulting engineers and field supervisors for PPC are Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd.

Loading was applied with the help of the working crane while lifting a reference 40-Ton container and with maximum boom extensions. Load increments were obtained with prescribed variations of boom rotations. Precise information of loading and vertical movements were measured using calibrated load cells and digital extensometers connected to an automated data acquisition system.