Crane Runway Beam Design
Crane Runway Beam Design
(OP)
In ASCE-05 it states that the lateral and longitudinal forces shall act at the "traction surface" of the beam. What exactly defines the "traction surface?" I have two wheels on each side of the bridge beam. The wheels are spaced approximately 54" apart. The max. wheel load is 4,843 lbs. So do I also apply the lateral and longitudinal forces right at the wheels, therefore have two loads that are approximately 54" apart, or do those forces only get applied in one location. Thank you in advance for your help. This is my first crane runway beam design.






RE: Crane Runway Beam Design
There are vertical wheel loads, longitudinal tractive forces, and side thrust forces.
The traction surface is between the wheel and the rail which is several inches higher than the top of the top flange.
This creates a larger moment arm for torsion on the girder as well as tractive strong axis moments (if you care to get into that much detail).
You should apply the wheel loads at the proper spacing and at the tractive surface. For a simple 4 wheel crane (2 wheels per runway girder) the Table 3-23 in the Black Book will give you simple formulas for max smoment and shears for moving loads on simple span beams.
RE: Crane Runway Beam Design
RE: Crane Runway Beam Design
You have a short wheel spacing so the moments and shears will be close to what you get for a point load but not exact.
Again, look at DG 7
RE: Crane Runway Beam Design
RE: Crane Runway Beam Design
I believe DG 7 uses only the top flange properties for lateral forces as a way to avoid checking for torsion.