Study on the effects of lifting loads on the longitudinal strength of a crane barge during heavy lifting operations due to various angle of crane rotation

Abstract

The different positions of lifting loads on a crane barge during Heavy Lifting operations have a significant impact on longitudinal strength. This study focuses on the analysis of longitudinal strength on a crane barge with a configuration of Topside structure loading direction during the installation. The variations used the crane rotation angle from starboard to bow at 15° increments. The results showed that the load distribution for all variations followed similar trendlines, using analytical and numerical methods. Significant changes occurred at frame 3–19 as the location of the superstructure, frame 13–40 as the ballast tank loads, and frame 45–55 as the lifting loads. Regarding the maximum shear force and bending moment, occurred when the net load changes from positive to negative and the position of the crane. The maximum shear force occurred at frame 40, while the maximum bending moment occurred at frame 47, 48, and 49. The comparison between analytical and numerical methods for shear force and bending moment showed that the error values are below 5% of the allowable value according to the DNV standards.