CRANES I

INTRODUCTION

• The dynamic structural calculation allows to determine the

stress of the elevator during its operation.
• Phases:
1. Find the external forces and their combination, that act on the
structure.
2. Displacement, stress and reaction calculation of each of the
components applying the adequate calculation process.
3. Verification of the obtained values of elasticity, resistance and
stability.

Nowadays: Finite element programs are used

CRANES I

INTRODUCTION
• Loads to be considered:
– Principal loads acting on the structure for the motionless elevator. The worst
loads are:
• Normal operation load: service load + accessories
• Self weight: crane components weight (set aside operation load)
– Loads due to vertical movements:
• Accelerations or decelerations
• Vertical impacts due to the rollers
– Loads due to horizontal movements:
• Accelerations or decelerations
• Centrifugal force
• Lateral effects due to rolling
• Impact effects
– Loads due to changes in climate:
• Wind, snow and temperature effects
– Various loads:
• Dimensioning of rails and aisles

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

• CASE I: Without wind:

– The next loads are considered: static due to self weight SG, forces
due to service load SL multiplied by the dynamic coefficient ψ
and the two most unfavourable horizontal effects SH, set aside
impact effects, multiplied by an increase factor γc:

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )
– Increasing factor γc [UNE 58132-2] : Depends on the elevator
classification group
Elevator
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8
group
γc 1,00 1,02 1,05 1,08 1,11 1,14 1,17 1,20

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )
• Dynamic coefficient ψ: takes into account
– The service load lifting.
– The accelerations and decelerations in the lifting process.
– The vertical impacts due to the rolling in the track.

Ψ=1+ξVL
VL is the lift speed in m/s

ξ is an experimental coefficient obtained by carrying out several tests in

different elevators

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

Bridge and gantry crane

Jib crane

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: TOWER CRANE

Jib pendants Jib pendants G: crane weight

Cat head
Jib Pi=Q+Pc
Counterweight (load+trolley)
jib

Gc: counterweight weight

It is important to know the

Mast
maximum load depending on the
position: its values are usually
specified in points A and B

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: TOWER CRANE

Above structure
The jib pendants are subject to
traction, while the cat head is
subjected to compression, flexure
and shear
Traction forces in the jib ties
T1 =
PB ψ ⋅ PB T1
T1 = σ1 =
sen ( β ) sen ( β ) A1 Von Misses
Gc Gc T2 V
T2 = T2 = σc =
sen ( α ) sen ( α ) σ2 =
A2 Ap σ T = σ 2 +3τ 2

Forces in the cat head are: M

σf = σ T = (σ f + σ c ) 2 +3τ 2
V=T1 ⋅ sen ( β ) +T2 ⋅ sen ( α ) Wpf
H=T1 ⋅ cos ( β ) -T2 ⋅ cos ( α ) H⋅m m: first moment of the
τ=
M=H ⋅ h b ⋅ Iz principal area

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: TOWER CRANE

Above structure

The jib is subjected to flexure and

shear forces:

Von Misses
ψ ⋅ PA ⋅ L3
M pl,f =PA ⋅ L3 M pl,f =ψ ⋅ PA ⋅ L3 σf =
Wpf
σ T = σ f2 +3τ 2
Vpl,c =PA Vpl,c =ψ ⋅ PA ψ ⋅ PA ⋅ m
τ=
b ⋅ Iz

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: TOWER CRANE

Mast The mast is subjected to flexure and

compression forces
M f =PB ⋅ L1 − G c ⋅ L 2 + G ⋅ e
Vc =PB + G c + G
Jib tie Jib tie
Cat head
Jib
Counterweight
Mf
M f =ψ ⋅ PB ⋅ L1 − G c ⋅ L 2 + G ⋅ e
jib
Vc
L2 e L
Vc =ψ ⋅ PB + G c + G
L1=L+e
Tower
ψ ⋅ PB ⋅ L1 − G c ⋅ L 2 + G ⋅ e
σf =
Wmf
ψ ⋅ PB + G c + G σ T =σ f + σ C
σc =
Am

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )

• Loads due to horizontal movements:

– Accelerations and decelerations due to translations
movements of the crane
– Acceleration or decelerations due to movements of the
load
– Centrifugal force
– Lateral effects due to rolling (loads due to obliquity)

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )

• Accelerations or decelerations of movements :

– Accelerations/decelerations due to translation movements
of the crane
a
H= ⋅V
g
– The acceleration/deceleration value depends on:
• The desired speed
• Time to accelerate/decelerate
• Usage of the elevator

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

(a) (b) (c)

Low and medium speed with Medium and high speeds (usual High speed with great
Desired large travelling applications) accelerations
speed [m/s] Time to Acceleration Time to Acceleration Time to Acceleration
accelerate [m/s2] accelerate [m/s2] accelerate [m/s2]
[s] [s] [s]
4,00 8,00 0,50 6,00 0,67
3,15 7,10 0,44 5,40 0,58
2,50 6,30 0,39 4,80 0,52
2,00 9,10 0,22 5,60 0,35 4,20 0,47
1,60 8,30 0,19 5,00 0,32 3,70 0,43
1,00 6,60 0,15 4,00 0,25 3,00 0,33
0,63 5,20 0,12 3,20 0,19
0,40 4,10 0,098 2,50 0,16
0,25 3,20 0,078
0,16 2,50 0,064

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )

• Accelerations or decelerations of the load

movement:
– Inertia force of the load (with weight W):
Wa
F= =ma
g
– Rotational movement:
T: Inertia moment
T=Jα J: Inertia polar moment = ∑m d
i
2
i
α: Angular acceleration

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

Inertia forces due to rotation:

F=m e ⋅ a

Equivalent mass Tangencial acceleration

2
md
me =∑ i i
2 a=α ⋅ D
D

mi d i2
F=α ⋅ ∑
D

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )
• Loads due to obliquity:
– Tangential forces between the wheels and the rail track.
– Guide forces.
• A simple translation mechanical model is needed:
– n pairs of wheels in line.
– p coupled pairs.

Coupled (C) Individual (I)

Fixed/Fixed
(F/F)
Fixed/Mobile
(F/M)

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE I

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH )
• Loads due to centrifugal forces:
– Effects of the cable inclination
2
WR  πn 
Fc =  
g  30 

W: Load
R: Radius
n: Rotating speed
g: gravity acceleration

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

• CASE II: Normal operation with service limit

wind
– To the loads considered in CASE I it is added the
effect of service limit wind Sw and, if needed, the
load due to variation in temperature:
γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH ) + Sw

– Overloading due to snow is not considered.

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH ) + Sw
• Wind effect
F=A ⋅ p ⋅ Cf

•A is the net surface, in m2, of the considered element, that is, the solid surface
projection over a perpendicular plane in the wind direction.
•Cf is a shape factor, in the wind direction, for the considered element.
•p is the wind pressure, in kN/m2, and it is calculated by means of the following
equation:
p = 0, 613 ⋅10 ⋅ vs [kPa]
-3 2

where vs is the calculated wind speed in m/s

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

Cf: Shape factor [UNE 58-113-85]
Aerodynamic drag coefficient
Type Description l/b or l/D
5 10 20 30 40 50
Metal section in L, in U and flat plates 1,3 1,35 1,6 1,65 1,7 1,9
Circular metal sections
in which Dvs < 6 m2/s 0,75 0,80 0,90 0,95 1,0 1,1
in which Dvs ≥ 6 m2/s 0,60 0,65 0,70 0,70 0,75 0,8
Simple
elements Square metal sections of more than b/d
350 mm side and rectangular of more ≥2 1,55 1,75 1,95 2,1 2,2
than 250 mm x 450 mm 1 1,40 1,55 1,75 1,85 1,9
0,5 1,0 1,2 1,3 1,35 1,4
0,25 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0
Flat side metal section 1,7
Simple Circular metal sections
lattice work 1,2
in which Dvs < 6 m2/s
0,8
in which Dvs ≥ 6 m2/s
Machine Square structures filled (air cannot flow
1,1
room, etc beneath the structure)

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

Wind

Element length 1 1
Aerodynamic coefficient= = or
Section height facing wind b D

Section height facing wind b

Section proportion= =
Section width parallel to wind d

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

Speeds and pressures of service wind [UNE 58-113-85]

Wind speed Wind pressure

Type of crane
m/s kPa/m2

Cranes which can be protected against

wind and designed exclusively for light
14 0,125
wind (for example, low height cranes
with an easily folding jib to the ground)

Every normal crane installed in exteriors 20 0,25

Dock cranes that should continue

28,5 0,50
operation in case of strong wind

p = 0, 613 ⋅10-3 ⋅ vs2 [kPa]

CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE II

γ c ( SG +ψSL +SH ) + Sw

• Snow overloading:
– It is not considered
• Temperature effect:
– Only when the elements cannot freely expand
– Temperature limit -20 ºC + 45 ºC

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CRANES I

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION: CASE III

• CASE III: Elevator subjected to exceptional loads

a) Elevator out of service subjected to maximum wind.
b) Elevator in service subject to impact.
c) Elevator subjected to static and dynamic tests.

CRANES I

STABILITY

Wm d m > Wb d b + W d

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CRANES I

STABILITY

Wm

Rotation axis

Wm d m + Wf ( d o − d f ) > Wb d b + Wr d

CRANES I

COUNTERWEIGHT CALCULATION

It is usually calculated so that it counteracts the half Q

of the material moment and the jib moment G c ⋅ d=G ⋅ e+(Pc + )⋅L
2
Moment: M f =(Pc + Qi ) ⋅ L+G ⋅ e-G c ⋅ d

 Q   Q
M f =(Pc + Qi ) ⋅ L+G ⋅ e-  G ⋅ e+(Pc + ) ⋅ L  =  Qi −  ⋅ L
 2   2

P=Qi+Pc
Without load: Qi=0
Q
(Load+hoist) Most unfavourable M f =- ⋅ L
situations: 2
With load: Qi=Q
Q
Mf = ⋅L
2
With this type of counterweight the mast, with and without
load, has a uniform solicitation in a favourable way

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

Crane and elevators classification allows to establish the design of the

structure and of the mechanisms

It is used by manufacturers and clients so that a specific elevator operates within

certain required service conditions.

Elevator classification Mechanism classification

Used by the client and the It gives the manufacturer
manufacturer to achieve a information of how to design and
fixed elevators service verify the elevator so that it has
conditions the desired service life for the
operation service conditions

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT (standard 58-112-91/1)

Number of cycles of a manoeuvre Load spectrum coefficient

A manoeuvre cycle begins when the load is prepared to be lifted and finishes when
the elevator is prepared to lift the next load

• The total number of manoeuvre cycles is the sum of all of the cycles carried
out during the elevator life.
• The user expects that the elevator’s manoeuvre number of cycles is achieved
during its life.
• The total number of manoeuvre cycles has a relationship with the usage
factor:
– The manoeuvre spectrum has been conveniently divided in 10 usage classes.

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT: TOTAL NUMBER OF

CYCLES

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT

CLASSIFICACIÓN OF THE EQUIPMENT (standard 58-112-91/1)

Number of cycles of a manoeuvre Load spectrum coefficient

The load condition is the number of times a load is lifted, which is suitable to the
elevator capacity

• Depending on the available information of the number and weight of the

loads to be lifted during the elevator life:
– Lack of indications: manufacturer and client have to achieve an agreement.
– If the information is available: the load spectrum coefficient of the elevator
can be calculated.

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT : LOAD LEVEL

 C  P 3 
Kp = ∑  i  i  
 CT  Pmax  

Ci is the mean number of cycles of manoeuvre for each different load level.
CT is the total of the individual cycles for every load level.
Pi are the values of the individual loads characteristic of the equipment service operation.
Pmax is the maximum load that the equipment is authorized to lift (safe working load).

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT : LOAD LEVEL

17
CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE COMPLETE EQUIPMENT

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE COMPLETE EQUIPMENT

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM

CLASSIFICACIÓN OF THE MECHANISMS (standard 58-112-91/1)

Usage of work equipment Mechanism load level

It is calculated for the planned service duration in hours

• Maximum service duration can be computed by means of the mean daily

service, in hours, of the number of working days per year and the number of
the planned years of service.
• A mechanism is considered to be on service when it is on movement.

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM: USAGE

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM

CLASSIFICACIÓN OF THE MECHANISMS (standard 58-112-91/1)

Use of work equipment Loads applied to the mechanism

The load level is a feature that shows how much a mechanism is subjected to
a maximum load, or only to low loads.

t  Pi  
3

k m =∑  i   
 Tt  Pmax  
ti is the mean service duration of the mechanism when subjected to individual loads.
Tt iis the sum of the individual durations in all load level
Pi is the individual load level of the mechanism
Pmax is the maximum load applied to the mechanism

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM: APPLIED LOAD

20
CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MECHANISM

21
CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

Crane with hook:

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

Crane with hook: Usage class U5

Load lift
Movement of the load
Rotation
Lowering
Unhook the load
Lift cylce tmc=150 s
Unloaded lift
Rotation
Movement of the load
Unloaded lift
To hook a new load

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

Total length usage of the machine:

N ⋅ t mc tmc= cycle mean length [s]
T= [h]
3600 N = Number of cycles

5 ⋅105 ⋅150
T= ≈ 20835 horas
3600

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

For each of the mechanisms it is defined:

t mechanism tmechanism= usage time of the mechanism during one
αi = cycle [s]
t mc tmc= mean duration of one cycle [s]

Load lift
Movement of the load Lift mechanism
Rotation
Lowering
Unhook the load Slewing mechanism
Unloaded lift
Rotation
Movement of the load Movement mechanism
Unloaded lowering
Hook a new load

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CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION
Load lift
Movement of the load
Rotation
Lowering
Unhook the load 63%
Lift mechanism Unloaded lift
Rotation
Movement of the load
Unloaded lowering
Hook a new load

Slew mechanism Travelling mechanism

Load lift Load lift
Movement of the load Movement of the load
Rotation Rotation
Lowering Lowering
Unhook the load 25% 10%
Unhook the load
Unloaded lift Unloaded lift
Rotation Rotation
Movement of the load Movement of the load
Unloaded lowering Unloaded lowering
Hook a new load Hook a new load

CRANES I

CLASSIFICATION

Total duration of the mechanism in

hours:
Lift mechanism αi=0.63

Τi=13126 h Τ7

Slew mechanism αi=0.25

Τi=5209 h Τ5

Travelling mechanism αi=0.10

Τi=2084 h Τ4

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CRANES I

ENGINES

• Power calculation:
Lift movements
G ⋅V
Pe = 2 [CV]
Power 4500 ⋅ η
Travelling movements
(G +G ) ⋅ W ⋅ V
Pt = 1 2 [CV]
4500000 ⋅ η
G1: self weight (trolley,span, etc.) [daN]
G2: load + accessories [daN]
V: speed [m/min]
η: mechanical efficiency
W: friction coefficient
7 for rolling bearing
20 for friction bearing

CRANES I

ENGINES
Torque needed to accelerate:
Starting torque = resistance torque + acceleration torque
The resistance torque only has to be taken into account for travelling engines

MA = Mw + Mb [daNm]

Mw =
716 ⋅ Pt
[daNm] Mb =
∑ GD 2
1 ⋅ n1
[daNm]
n1 375 ⋅ t a

n1: engine speed in rpm Masses moved linearly

ΣGD12: inertia torque sum referred to engine axis (G1 +G 2 ) ⋅ d 2
GD12 = [daNm 2 ]
ta: acceleration time: η
Lift, cierre cuchara = 2 s Rotating mass
Trolley travelling or bridge crane, rotation = 4 s
n 22
Gantry travelling = 6 s GD12 = GD 22 [daNm 2 ]
n12
V
d= [m]
π ⋅ n1
V: Mass lineal speed

25
CRANES I

ENGINES

CRANES I

ENGINES
Power needed to overcome wind resistance:
S⋅ V Fv: wind pressure [daN/m2]
Pv = ⋅ Fv [CV] S: surface exposed to wind
4500 ⋅ η

To select travelling engine:

Engine power ≥ Pt +Pv [CV]
Max. motor toruque ≥ M w +M b [daNm]

To select lift engine:

Engine power ≥ Pe +Pv [CV]

26