Cranes and Composites

[MikeVV]

Is anyone aware of crane or lift manufacturers that are using composite materials for structural elements of their products? "Big Blue" collapsed in Milwaukee, WI several months ago - it was one of the largest construction cranes in the world (over 500 feet tall, several hundred ton-US capacity) and welding has been suggested as its problem. The mass of the structure in a crane is a significant limiting factor for capacity and composite materials offer significant "performance" improvements for these structures...

 

[lesliehowell]

I had heard of pull-truded carbon fiber materials that were twice as strong at one third the weight of steel. I would check with some of the companies that are into carbon fiber products and let their engineers tell you. You know get it straight from the horses mouth.

 

[atvargas]

Mikevv: Big Blue wasn't to blame for Miller Park collapse.
Bill Lampson, president of the crane company said: I'm satisfied there was nothing wrong with the crane," Lampson said. "There was nothing wrong with the setup of the crane and nothing mechanically wrong."

News accounts from the period also say the crane slipped because it was operating on a hazardous surface of plywood over pea gravel.

All lift equipment is designed and manufactured with a safety factor of 5 to 1. then the crane capacity design is for five times nominal capacity. If crane lift 400 ton, the crane was designed to support 2000 ton.

 

[tmschrader]

A company in New Zealand makes Carbon fiber cranes and gangplanks for the MegaYacht industry.

I can dig up the name if anyone is interested.