Parametric study for structural vibration analysis of tower crane on elastic foundation using mathematical model

The aim of this work is to study the structural vibration of tower crane on concrete foundation. The stability of tower crane basically depends on the crane foundation. The crane foundation deformation should be taken into consideration for the study of motion behavior and vibration features of the tower crane. Dynamic models of the tower crane are presented based on air resistance, boom deformation and Lagrange equation under the lifting-slewing coupling condition. The concrete foundation is modeled by thick plate elements based on the Reissner plate theory. Utilizing coupling relationship in tower crane and foundation, the motion equations are derived. The crane foundation boundaries are treated as a clamped–clamped boundary and three simply supported boundaries. The vibration response of the structure is calculated. The vibration models were validated by experiments. The experiments were carried from accelerating to constant speed and decelerating under the lifting-slewing coupling condition. This paper analyzes parameters of the elastic foundation to acquire dynamic characteristics and vibration features of tower cranes under the lifting-slewing coupling condition. The results show that the length, width, height, and sedimentation angle of crane foundation have a significant influence on the time responses of the mast and the θ and β angles. The changes in the θ angle amplitude are more than those of the β angle amplitude. The changes in the mast y3 are more than those of the mast x3 under the lifting-slewing coupling condition. Selecting appropriate parameters of tower crane foundation can reduce tower crane structural vibration. The study can contribute to the tower crane structural design.