Crane Girder Research Articles

Engineering design optimisation using reinforcement learning with episodic controllers

Engineers solving engineering design problems can be regarded as a gradual optimisation process that involves strategising. The process can be modelled as a reinforcement learning (RL) framework. This article presents an RL model with episodic controllers to solve engineering problems. Episodic controllers provide a mechanism for using the short-term and long-term memories to improve the efficiency of searching for engineering problem solutions. This work demonstrates that the two kinds of models of memories can be incorporated into the existing RL framework. Finally, an optimised design problem of a crane girder is illustrated by RL with episodic controllers. The work presented in this study leverages the RL model that has been shown to mimic human problem solving in engineering optimised design problems.

Method of Increasing Reliability of Large Dimensional Bridge-Type Structures

Abstract The paper presents a method of testing the girder of a bridge crane using a specialized measuring type robot. The girder of the bridge crane is an example of a largesize structure. The bridge structure of the crane is a critical subsystem of the transport device due to its operational safety. The purpose of the overhead crane girder tests is to increase the reliability of the structure and operational safety. The proposed solutions indeed comply with the standards in force. Also, they increase their frequency and effectiveness of concluding in terms of predicting possible causes of threats to the safety and reliability of the structure.

Influence of the Crane Load and Measurement Speed on the Properties of the Magnetic Field of the Girders

Abstract The girders of the crane or the jib of the crane are situated at high heights, which prevents the free and continuous measurement of their stresses. Unfortunately, these elements are most exposed to high stress and damage during their use. The article presents the research methodology with the use of the magnetic metal memory method of the overhead crane girders. Diagnostic tests utilizing the crane movement mechanisms to move the magnetometric sensor along the tested surface of the girder were proposed to improve and automate measurements. The article attempts to investigate effect of the device load and speed of Hp measurements with a magnetometric sensor.

CRANE GIRDER DESIGN ACCORDING TO EUROCODE – NUMERICAL EXAMPLE OF A CRANE GIRDER IN A HYDROPOWER PLANT

<jats:p>With the adoption of Eurocodes in the field of civil engineering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, analysis of structures becomes more complex compared to previous regulations. Consequently, the analysis of crane track girders becomes more detailed, with a higher degree of analysis controls during dimensioning. This paper presents the load analysis and design checks of crane girders for ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state, according to Eurocode, with the presentation of the most important parameters and design limitations, such as load classifications, dynamic coefficients, limitations for serviceability states. Furthermore, a numerical example of a crane track support for a bridge crane in the machine building of a 25t hydropower plant is given.</jats:p>

Machine Learning Based Approach to a Crane Load Estimation

Abstract In the presence of increasing demands for safety and efficiency of material handling systems, the development of advanced supervisory control, monitoring, data acquisition and diagnostic systems is involved, especially for large industrial cranes. The important part of such systems is the continuous monitoring of a crane load. The crane load monitoring system proposed in the paper is based on a fuzzy model that estimates a payload mass transferred by a crane based on measuring the crane girder deflection and trolley position. The model was identified using the fuzzy subtractive clustering and least mean square with the data collected during experiments carried out on the laboratory scaled overhead crane.

STRESS-DEFORMED STATE RESEARCH OF THE MAIN GIRDER IN THE SINGLE-GIRDER CRANE AND SELECTION OF A RATIONAL SECTION

The paper studies of the stress-strain state of the main girder of a single-girder crane were carried out using finite element analysis. A large share of the mechanization of various production processes is made up of lifting and transporting machines. Overhead cranes are the main lifting equipment of production shops. Single-beam cranes are widely used in all parts of workshops: in the machine room, in the warehouse of finished products. The use of crane equipment, its trouble-free operation determines the efficiency of modern production and the productivity of the enterprise. Reducing the weight of the crane, its cost price while maintaining and even improving the technical characteristics is an urgent requirement of the time. The design and optimization of modern metal constructions of cranes is a complex task that requires the use of numerical modeling. To analyze the resulting stresses and movements in Autodesk Invertor 2018, a 3D model of the main girder of a single-girder overhead crane with a load capacity of 2 tons and a span of 6 meters was built. The material of the main beam of the crane is СТ09Г2С steel. In the study, a finite-element model of the metal structure of a bridge suspended single-girder crane was developed and a finite-element static analysis was made in order to determine the stress-strain state of the metal structure in the most loaded state. Boundary conditions for fixing the beam and the load were set, taking into account the own weight of the beam and the weight of the electric hoist. The distribution of stresses and displacements along the entire length of the beam was analyzed. In order to reduce the weight of the crane, four versions of the metal structure were analyzed: basic and three with reduced weight. After the analysis of the stressed-strained state, the most optimal option was proposed. Prospects for the development of further study of this problem were also identified. Keywords: beam, stress, deformation, finite element analysis.

A Box-Girder Design Using Metaheuristic Algorithms and Mathematical Test Functions for Comparison

In engineering, metaheuristic algorithms have been used to solve complex optimization problems. This paper investigates and compares various algorithms. On one hand, the study seeks to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of the newly presented heuristic techniques. The efficiency of the algorithms is highly dependent on the nature of the problem. The ability to change the complexity of the problem and the knowledge of global optimal locations are two advantages of using synthetic test functions for algorithm benchmarking. On the other hand, real-world design issues may frequently give more meaningful information into the effectiveness of optimization strategies. A new synthetic test function generator has been built to examine various optimization techniques. The objective function noisiness increased significantly with different transformations (Euclidean distance-based weighting, Gaussian weighting and Gabor-like weighting), while the positions of the optima remained the same. The test functions were created to assess and compare the performance of the algorithms in preparation for further development. The ideal proportions of the primary girder of an overhead crane have also been discovered. By evaluating the performance of fifteen metaheuristic algorithms, the optimum solution to thirteen mathematical optimization techniques, as well as the box-girder design, is identified. Some conclusions were drawn about the efficiency of the different optimization techniques at the test function and the transformed noisy functions. The overhead travelling crane girder design shows the real-life application.

ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЕ ОСТАТОЧНОГО РЕСУРСА МЕТАЛЛИЧЕСКИХ ПОДКРАНОВЫХ БАЛОК ПРОМЫШЛЕННЫХ ЗДАНИЙ ДЛИТЕЛЬНОГО СРОКА ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ

The article discusses the main reasons for the physical wear and tear of metal crane beams of industrial buildings at hazardous production facilities. The analysis of the existing methods for determining the physical wear and the residual life of various structures, as well as regulatory and technical documentation, regulating the issue of conducting inspections of structures and the appointment of the technical condition of structures is carried out. The analysis of characteristic defects and damages of welded crane beams and an analysis of their influence on the bearing capacity is made. The dependence of the amount of physical wear and tear on the duration of operation of crane girders has been investigated. A method is proposed for determining the physical wear and tear of individual structures on the basis of their effect on the bearing capacity of the structure and their operational characteristics, based on the existing methods for determining the physical wear of structures of non-industrial buildings. A method is proposed for determining the residual life of metal structures by the Poisson method, depending on the degree of physical wear and the duration of operation. The use of this technique provides more accurately approach the determination of the residual life of building structures when conducting an industrial safety examination. Based on these data, it is more reasonable to approach the reconstruction, strengthening or overhaul of existing structures, as well as their complete or partial replacement.

DFOS measurements for strain analysis of anchorage zone in 57‐year‐old posttensioned precast girder using static and high‐frequency approach

AbstractThe aging engineering infrastructure is a growing problem in many countries and thus a challenge to make optimal decisions for their further safe operation. Therefore, effective diagnostic solutions are being sought to enable a reliable assessment of their technical condition. The article presents the results of static and high‐frequency strain measurements of a 57‐year‐old posttensioned crane girder, dismantled from one of the production halls. In particular, the anchorage zone and transmission length of the tendon related to the quality of cement injection around the prestressing tendon were analyzed. For this purpose, a distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technique was applied, which allows performing strain measurements with a spatial resolution starting from 2.6 mm (almost 385 measuring points per 1 m of the optical fiber). The application of such an approach allowed for detailed analysis in both longitudinal and transverse directions, including crack detection and estimation of their widths. The article describes in detail the sensing fibers and applied methodology, as well as the results of both static and high‐frequency tests performed under laboratory conditions during cutting one of the tendon's anchorage off.

Calculation Method for Metal–Wood Crane Girders

Calculation Method for Metal–Wood Crane Girders

Calculation of the improved steel beams of buildings and structures of the mining and metallurgical complex

Load-bearing elements of buildings and structures of the mining and metallurgical complex in recent decades need to develop new more effective design solutions due to the intensification of technological processes, an increase in temperature loads and aggressiveness of the environment. The main direction of increasing the efficiency of such elements is their design from economically alloyed steel, which allows to increase the resource of structures and prevent accidents with a significant increase in temperature. Due to the fact that alloyed steels have higher mechanical characteristics at elevated temperatures, the question arises of creating lightweight beam structures from such steels, reducing their material consumption while maintaining the stability and fatigue strength of beams, the most promising is the use of welded beams with a perforated wall and composite beams.
 The creation of the most effective cross-sectional shape of metal beams with a perforated wall and welded beams, as well as crane beams in transverse bending, considering strength, local stability, flat bending stability and fatigue strength is considered. It is shown that an effective shape of beams with a perforated wall is a box-shaped structure made of perforated channels. A calculation was carried out to select a rational design made of an assortment of hot-rolled channel profiles. It is shown that due to the use of the proposed sectional shape, significant savings in the weight of the structure can be achieved. Considering the three-dimensional stress-strain state, the fatigue strength of welded metal crane girders operating in severe conditions is estimated. The efficiency of using a hot-rolled I-beam as the upper chord of such welded beams is shown. The necessity of using a hot-rolled I-beam and to ensure the fatigue strength of the lower chord is demonstrated.
 The use of the previously proposed combined method for calculating the structures of industrial buildings and structures and the use of economically alloyed steels allows us to create new designs of critical elements that reduce their material consumption and increase their resource. Further research can be carried out for real object designs in order to reduce their cost and increase reliability during operation in the conditions of mining and metallurgical production.

Numerical Analysis for Earthquake Response of Polar Crane

To evaluate seismic properties of polar crane in nuclear power station, the earthquake responses of polar crane are analyzed. The first order frequency of polar crane fixed on containment wall is 2.44 Hz. The first order mode shape of polar crane is transverse horizontal deformation of two horizontal parallel main girders. El Centro earthquake loading and Los Angeles earthquake loading are used as input loadings on bottom the containment wall. The maximum accelerations of time histories of earthquake loading are normalized. The numerical simulation investigation shows that the maximum Mises stresses in mid-span of girder of polar crane under the action of El Centro earthquake loading and Los Angeles earthquake loading are 131 MPa and 133 MPa respectively, and they are less than permissible stress of material. The numerical simulations indicate that the wheels on polar crane don’t derail during earthquake process because the wheel pressure is always compressive state. Considering the El Centro earthquake loading, the maximum vertical acceleration on polar beam of containment wall is 3.3 m/s2 and less than gravity acceleration (9.8 m/s2).

Methodology for calculating a metal-wooden crane girder

The use of glued wood in the manufacture of crane girders to reduce the weight of the metal content of the structure is considered. To increase the stiffness, the structure is reinforced with metal elements. The method of calculating a metal-wood crane girder is presented. Keywords: crane girder, elastic support, vertical force, bridge crane, differential equations. hairulla213@mail.ru

Comparative Study of Pratt Truss, Vierendeel Structure, and Plate Girder for Overhead Crane Girder

This paper presents a study to get optimum type of crane girder. Three types of structures were studied: Pratt truss, Vierendeel frame and plate girder. Length of crane girder is 30 m and designed to carry 60 kN. Only (I) and angle steel sections were used to build crane girder. A nonlinear model was adopted to simulate the girder using finite element method. Weight of girder and maximum deflection were the main parameters used to compare. The results of the study identified that Vierendeel frame is the suitable type compared to the others to be designed and installed for this crane.

Modeling the stress-strain state of crane metal structures

The intensification of construction production imposes very strict requirements on the safety of construction machines. When carrying out lifting and hoisting operations using overhead cranes, production safety is primarily determined by the technical condition of the undercarriage and crane runways, as well as metal constructions. The authors deal with the issues related to modeling and research of the stress-strain state of metal structures of an overhead crane. A model of the crane metal structure is proposed, which includes the main and end box-section crane girders. To study possible geometric movements of the crane, a model of an overhead crane was designed in KOMPAS-3D software environment. The model contains main and end box-section girders. The model allows determining the maximum possible misalignment of the crane and runout of one of the sides. To determine the bending, tensile and compressive stresses in the bridge truss and the deformations of the crane metal structures, depending on the working loads, a 3D model of the bridge crane was created in the ADW Winmachine software environment. With its help, the bending stiffness of the crane bridge was established. These values are necessary to compile a mathematical model of an overhead crane as a control object in the synthesis of an automatic control system.

Determining stresses in the metallic structure of an overhead crane when using running wheels of the new design

This paper proposes a method to experimentally study the stressed state of the metallic structure of an overhead crane when using running wheels of different designs. The study employed a functioning electric, supporting, double-girder overhead crane with a capacity of 5 tons and a run of 22.5 m. Strain gauges assembled in a semi-bridge circuit and connected to the analog-digital converter Zetlab210 (Russia) were used to determine the girder deformations at the time of hoisting and moving cargoes of different masses. The cargo was lifted and displaced under the same conditions, on the regular wheels of a cargo trolley and the wheels with an elastic rubber insert. The girder deformation diagrams were constructed. The subsequent recalculation produced the stressed state's dependences at each point of cargo movement when using both regular wheels and the wheels with an elastic rubber insert. Also established were the dependences and the duration of oscillations that occur over the cycle of cargo lifting and moving. The experimental study cycle included cargo lifting in the far-left position by a trolley, moving the cargo to the far-right position, and returning the trolley with the cargo to its original position.
 It should be noted that the application of a new, modernized design of the running wheels of a cargo trolley with an elastic rubber insert effectively dampen the oscillations in the metallic structure of the crane.
 The experimental study's results helped establish an 18 % reduction in stresses in the girder of the overhead crane, as well as a decrease in peak vibrations, by 20 seconds, at the same cycles of cargo hoisting and moving. In addition, using wheels with an elastic rubber insert reduces the period of oscillation damping at the end of the cycle of cargo movement, by at least 30 %.

Influence of a synchronized human dynamic load on vibrations of machine structures

This paper contributes to the research of rhythmic behavior of a group of people, which, more or less synchronized, moves or jumps on a thin and elastic plate, thus performing a dynamically variable load. The analysis of the rhythmic behaviour of the crowd carried out on the basis of the experimental testing on the special steel test platform. The experiment consisted of sixteen measurements of live force and acceleration of the test platform. The dynamic loads caused by the mass of the human crowd and individuals had different intensities. The measurements of acceleration of the test platform were performed in order to estimate how the live human force influences on vibrations of machine structures. This research allows us to gain a picture of how serious the threats are from some human actions on the support structure of machines that are handled when performing works in industry, construction or mining. On the basis of these experiments, the mathematical models of the equivalent excitation forces were developed. The measured accelerations of the test platform tread surface and calculated dynamic coefficients of human force indicate that similar actions can seriously endanger balance of the support structure of some machine, and even, for example, can cause the main girder of the bridge crane to fall out. This and similar experiments allow us to formulate appropriate models of excitation loads by human force, which can then be used in simulation analyses in order to develop future systems of electronic protection of machines structures from adverse events.

Robust and High-Precision Vision System for Deflection Measurement of Crane Girder With Camera Shake Reduction

Crane girder is subject to alternating load in long time, which makes it prone to fatigue and fracture. Vision deflection measurement has become an effective method for structural health monitoring. However, crane girder does not always exhibit high contrast feature and artificial markers have to be pasted. Existing artificial markers cannot perform well in poor light conditions and the accuracy is limited. In this paper, we design an anti-interference marker by pasting a film onto a circular surface light source. The marker allows the vision system to work well under different light conditions. In addition, the reduction of camera shake and sub-pixel technique have been studied to improve the accuracy. According to the characteristics of the marker, corresponding image processing algorithms are also studied. Firstly, the designed marker can suppress environmental interference even at long distances with a wireless module and a small aperture. Secondly, the center of the marker in the image can be calculated using a sub-pixel detection technique. Finally, a camera shake reduction method is applied by using multiple reference markers and scale conversion factors are taken into account to get the physical displacement. To verify the measurement results, two experiments were carried out using a digital dial gauge sensor and laser displacement sensor for comparison. The experimental results proved the robustness and high precision of the vision system.

Investigation of the Impact of Load on the Magnetic Field Strength of the Crane by the Magnetic Metal Memory Technique.

The paper deals with the problem of applicability of the metal magnetic memory (MMM) technique in the crane structural inspection and monitoring. The MMM method does not require the external magnetization of a structure that results in reduction of downtime of maintenance operations. Measurement of the intensity of the self-magnetic leakage signal can be an alternative to other non-destructive methods used for inspection of a large crane’s structure and equipment. However, the complexity of the residual magnetization effect in the MMM technique is the problem with its application. Thus, the magnetic flux leakage behavior on the crane girder surface under different measurements and the crane’s load conditions is analyzed based on the results obtained during experiments carried out on the overhead traveling crane.

Design and deflection evaluation of a portal crane subjected to traction load

Abstract In this study, deflection values occurring on the main girder of a portal crane at various payloads were investigated theoretically, numerically and experimentally. The entire portal crane structure was analyzed on via a computer model in order to assess the reliability of the main girder in terms of deflection. Variations in deflection on the main girder were determined in accordance with load lifted and the crane trolley position. In addition, deflection values at critical points on the main girder of the portal crane were measured experimentally. Results indicate that maximum deflection value occurring on the main girder when the crane trolley was located at the middle of main girder were 1.34 times greater than the deflection value when the crane trolley was located at loading position 3.