Investigation on endurance evaluation of a portal crane: experimental, theoretical and finite element analysis

In this study, the stress on portal crane components at various payloads has been investigated theoretically, numerically and experimentally. The portal crane was computer-aided modeled and finite element analyses were performed so that the most stressed points at the each trolley position investigated on the main girder could be determined. In addition, the critical points were marked on the portal crane, and strain gages were attached to the those critical points so that stress values could be experimentally determined. The safety factor values at different payloads were determined by using finite element simulation. Results indicate that the most stressed component in the examined portal crane is the main girder. Experimental results indicate that the maximum stress value on the main girder is 3.05 times greater than the support legs and 8.99 times larger than the rail.