journal article·2025-04-23Open access

Numerical and Analytical Determination of the Critical Wind Speed Causing the Overturning of the Top-Slewing Tower Crane

Marcin Augustyn, Marek Barski

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 9

Abstract

The current study is devoted to the problem of the stability of the top-slewing tower cranes concerning the wind. A sufficiently strong wind can cause the overturning of the whole crane. The critical wind speed varies significantly depending on the geometrical configuration of the crane with respect to the wind direction. At the very beginning, the aerodynamic forces are estimated using CFD simulations. Next, the obtained results are compared with the applicable standards. The critical wind speeds and corresponding jib rotation angles are determined for the following two selected crane configuration variants: crane without payload and crane with maximal payload located at the end of the jib. It occurred that the critical wind speed varies between 35 m/s and 53 m/s depending on the assumed variant. Moreover, the trace of the gravity center is also determined to validate the obtained results.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Mechanical Engineering and Vibrations Research · Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems · Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland

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