Umnutzung von Bestandskranbahnen (Teil 2)

New usage of existing crane runways.

Strengthening of existing crane runways for future use is a common problem to be solved by structural engineers. After determination of their technical condition it has to be decided whether replacement of the crane runway is necessary or repair and further usage of the girder are possible.
The second part of the article focuses on the fatigue strength of crane runways. The material structure of crane runways with heavy fatigue loading may be pre-damaged due to the previous usage even if there are no cracks detected. Possibilities are shown on how to combine the fatigue damage caused by previous and further use to estimate the remaining life of the crane runway. In retrospect the assumptions concerning the severity of the fatigue loading, which have to be made during the planning process of the crane runway, sometimes turn out as to be too unfavourable. In those cases, a reclassification of the crane fatigue loading can be possible. A lower classification of the crane causes a longer period of use. Whether an increase of the cross section of a crane runway or changes on the crane itself (e.g. in the details of the crane design or of the electronic crane control to reduce the load on the crane runway) might be more appropriate to enable the further use of the - if necessary - repaired/modified crane runway, has already been discussed in issue 6 of the journal "Stahlbau".