Tower crane design and simulation

• Main Author: Li, Cecilia Zhaoxuan
• Other Authors: Cai Yiyu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Machine design and construction
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/136746
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Since the inception of Tower crane in 1949 in Germany by Hans Liebherr, its developments had been rapid. Tower cranes are now essential in construction industry, responsible for lifting, moving and lowering objects[1]. The aim of this project was to ensure effective and good productivity in the construction of HDB estates. The three objectives presented in this project were (1) design Yong Mao’s STT153 tower crane 3D model, (2) simulate the completed model into the simulator successfully, and, (3) validate the completed model with reference to other simulators, as well as, design considerations for reconfiguration. Autodesk® 3DS Max® software was selected as the ideal tool with its advantageous properties of modelling and surface type. Components of the tower crane were designed individually and consisted of the base, the boom, horizontal jib, sling hook, cabin and counterweights. Care was taken in ensuring a consistent naming convention between software and the system required by the simulator. Simulation was carried out in an in-house simulator designed by NTU researchers and PhD students. The simulator required the input of robotic crane, point cloud for modelling the environment and requirements for the lift path. The tower crane model was successfully imported into the software. Validation was then made to ensure compatibility of results between in-house software and those used in industry. In addition, design considerations for reconfiguration was also included. Despite many challenges, the author successfully created the tower crane model and imported it into the simulator software. The compatibility of this simulator allowed for realistic lift planning and ensuring safe practices in construction industry. The primary objective was met, with a big leap into improving productivity in HDB construction. Moving forward, the ability to integrate this in-house simulator with external industrial platforms for large scale projects will open paths for future studies in Smart Cranes industries.