Monorail beam loading

[SpecDor]

When using an I beam as a track. How can the capacity of the beam be calculated when large lateral loads are considered. In a short piece the web would bend, but what about long beams.

 

[mrMikee]

Severe side loading could cause the trolley to lift on one side so I would check that out first. Next I would find the line of action of the applied load and use it to calculate both the side load and torsion on the monorail, in addition the vertical loads of course. The torsion is generally equated to two side forces on the flanges in order to calculate the equivalent lateral bending moments in the flanges. Then I would calculate the local bending in the bottom flange due the trolley wheel loads, probably using something from Roark.

Monorails are typically not used for applications with large side loads, so I am concerned that the mechanical equipment could be stressed or loaded beyond its original intent. Structural calculations are part of the solution but functionality and safety are a considerations too. When an application is out of the norm it is easy to miss something.

Here's some good reference material

http://www.mhiastore.org/category.cfm?Category=16

Regards,
-Mike