Experimental determination of lateral forces caused by bridge crane skewing during travelling

Abstract

Crane condition depends on the large number of variables randomly changing in time. Due to the large number of parameters, skewing forces have stochastic character. Though in standards treated as occasional loads, their dynamic action in certain cases can cause fatigue damage of the crane travelling mechanisms, structure and runway components. Current European Norms have left the question of skewing forces influence upon the fatigue damage occurrence unresolved. The paper presents an experimental determination of lateral forces acting on the vertical wheels of a bridge crane using two different solutions of transducers for the direct measurement on the wheels of the cranes in operation, without changing the way of lateral guiding. As an illustration, few records of the measured wheel lateral force vs. time are shown. Presentation of such records in the form of a loading spectrum (e.g. using the software nCode), obtained during long-lasting or continuous monitoring of cranes in operation, is the first step in finding the relevant answer to the previously unresolved question.