Reference data on uplift forces for an alarm system to prevent an accident of a container crane due to windblast

Abstract

This study is conducted to provide the reference data for an alarm system to prevent an overturning of a container crane under wind loads. Two methods, namely FSI (fluid–structure interaction) analysis and wind tunnel test, are adopted in this investigation. In order to evaluate the effect of wind load on the stability of the crane, a 50-ton class container crane, widely used in container terminals, is adopted for an analytic model, and 19 values are considered for wind direction as a design parameter. First, the wind tunnel test for the reduced-scale container crane model is performed according to the wind direction using an Eiffel-type atmospheric boundary-layer wind tunnel. Next, FSI analysis for a full-scale container crane is conducted using ANSYS and CFX. Then, the uplift force obtained from FSI analysis is compared with that yielded by the wind tunnel test. Finally, the reference data on the uplift forces for an alarm system are suggested to prevent an accident of a container crane due to windblast.