Automatic design algorithms for securing the ground contact stability of mobile cranes

Abstract

Abstract Background Mobile cranes overturn due to excessive lifting, heavy wind, or when appropriate ground contact pressure is not secured. Such accidents can be prevented by reviewing the force conveyed from the outrigger to the ground upon lifting, as well as the soil bearing force. The stability review of mobile crane overturn is classified into the following stages: reviewing lifting conditions, mobile crane selection and reviewing ground contact stability. However, a precise review of ground contact stability requires expertise and is extremely time-consuming. Thus, this study develops automatic design algorithms for securing the ground stability of mobile cranes for easy and quick stability reviews. Methods The stability review method and the algorithm models are created in connection with the proposed conceptual process. The algorithms proposed in this study conduct simulations for all possible candidate cases, save the results in a database, review practical alternatives, and select the solution that minimizes cost. To verify the effectiveness of the automatic design model, a case project was selected and the algorithm was applied assuming several conditions. Results Developed algorithms can select candidate cranes according to lifting conditions and design plates through simulations easily and quickly, and design components required for ground contact plate design are collected to build the database that allows easier and quicker stability review. Conclusion The algorithms proposed in this study conduct simulations for all possible candidate cases, save the results in a database, review practical alternatives, and select the solution that minimizes cost. Developed processes are useful for analyzing correlations of mobile crane performance, ground contact and soil bearing force reinforcement designs and so forth, and for systematically selecting optimal mobile cranes.