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Crane Accidents 04/12/2009 Page 1 of 7
By : William A. Grecow2gre@verizon.netWarrington,Pa.Typical egg link 
Abstract
Slewing (rotating) a crane too quickly can induce forces which can causemajor crane components to fail. This essay is being written to emphasis theimportance of proper crane operation.
Example:
Most crane lifts use an elliptical egg link.Assume an egg link rating at 15,000 lbs tensile strength in this essay.. This essay will attempt to explore the
possibility
of cause by rotational torque,centrifugal force and load pendulum action which can decelerate too quickly, causing adynamically induced inertial force far greater than the link working load limit.The essay will also identify the condition of load free fall and rapidly appliedsheave braking.Lastly the essay will explore the forces involved in tag line movement.
L
ifting components are not static structural members, they are dynamic when loadedand are subjected to severe stresses when in use. To assume that a member of a
lifting system would work for 100’s of lifts and then suddenly fail due to a manufacturingflaw or metallurgical instability has limited plausibility. Cracks and failures from stressdo not develop over a long period of time after the stress is applied
unless
the componentmaterial is subjected to what is known as
stress corrosion
which is intergranularoccurring at the metal grain boundaries.
 
Crane Accidents 04/12/2009 Page 2 of 7
By : William A. Grecow2gre@verizon.netWarrington,Pa.
Most of the dynamic component failures that we witness in our daily lives arecaused by component wear causing tolerance shift, operator misuse, heat, friction,rapid temperature swing, poor lubrication, component control failures to name a few.
This essay will not be able to find all the answer’s to tragic crane accidents butit
should serve as a guide and warning against crane misuse.Crane Rotational Movement
The dynamic effects accompanying rotational motion include. inertial torque,centrifugal force, and load pendulum action. For many cranes, centrifugalforce produces a tensile force on a boom or jib that relieves the axial compressive forcesto a minor extent. On the other hand, this same force acts to create an inertial force onthe load. In the overall scheme of things, centrifugal force on the dead-load masses of cranes can usually be neglected, since swing speeds rarely exceed 1 radian/min57.3 degrees, however cranes have the
capability
to operate at a slewing speed of 0-2 rpms or 12.5 radians per minute. If the boom of a crane is accelerated too quicklythe load will lag the boom causing what is known in the heavy lift industry asside loading, if the boom and load get into this dynamic displacement and the boomrotation is suddenly stopped the load will begin to pendulum, the load component willbecome a damped harmonic which over time stabilizes to an undetectable movement.Centrifugal force throws the load out to an increased radius. If n is the number of slewing revolutions per minute, we have
Fc.WRg.
n30
2
(equation-1)
where
Fc
= centrifugal forceW = weight of loadR= operating radiusg - acceleration due to gravityFc will act horizontally at the upper load sheave shaft away from the axis of rotation and parallel to the horizontal projection of the boom centerlineLoad pendulum action is another matter. This dynamic motion is inducedby the inertia of the load as the crane powers up or brakes during swinging.The inertial force is horizontal, but it is tangential to the rotational arc(i.e., perpendicular to the centrifugal force). Consider a slewing (rotating)boom; when braking occurs and the boom slows, the load will continue andpull forward on the boom. After the boom stops, the load will continue toswing, pendulum fashion.
 
Crane Accidents 04/12/2009 Page 3 of 7
By : William A. Grecow2gre@verizon.netWarrington,Pa..
The period of swing will vary with hoist line length L, the distance from loadCG to the suspension point on the boom, with the relationship
Tp..2()3.14Lg
12
(equation-1A)
where Tpis the "swing period. Line length, is a random variable, (3.14 = pi),which makes Tp a random variable as well, but Tp,will increase with L. ShouldL be such that Tp corresponds to the natural period of vibration of the boom,resonance will occur. In a pure theoretical undamped system this will lead to asteady increase in vibration amplitude and eventual failure.In a real-life system with damping always present, amplitude will reach a peak value of some 5 to 10 times the effect of the same force statically applied. Fortunately, thestructure period of vibration will always be shorter than load pendulum period and reso-nance will not take place. The crane industry therefore suggests that the problem besimplyresolvedbyapplying load and dead-weight inertial forces at twice thevaluesobtainedwhenusingmeanacceleration.Thefactor2 istakentoaccountfortheelasticityinthesystem.When the boom is rotated, acceleration takes place and the load will not be inthe same vertical plane as the boom.During this side loading condition or load lag,the
initial
anglethattheload makes withthe vertical wireropeisgivenby Load
angle
=Load
angle
=
.atana32.257.3
(equation-2)
where:atan = arc tangent = tan
-1
a
=
thetangentialswingacceleration.
(
Feet per second
2
)57.3 = degrees in one radianFollowingthisrepresentation,ifW istheloadweight,theinertialforceF causingthelagcanbeexpressed as
F.WtanLoad
angle
Wdgma
(equation-3)
In terms of rotational motion the basic inertial equation can be stated asInertial Torque = polar moment of inertia (times) angular acceleration
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