C
Publish and Present
.jpg "Kenton Lee, S.E. photo")
Kenton Lee, S.E.
Principal
Liftech Consultants Inc.
Oakland, California
Michael Jordan, S.E.
Chief Structural Advisor, Founding Principal
Liftech Consultants Inc.
Oakland, California
Patrick McCarthy, P.E.
Principal
Liftech Consultants Inc.
Oakland, California
Numerous container terminals worldwide are near airports with height restrictions. Low profile ship-to-shore container cranes (LPCs) are vital to these terminals. Latest generation LPCs servicing today’s ultra large container vessels are significantly heavier than conventional A-frame cranes (AFCs). The LPCs are more complex and present a myriad of new challenges for crane and wharf designers.
The most significant difference between LPCs and AFCs is that the LPC boom is a large truss that cantilevers over the ship and shuttles horizontally rather than rotating, resulting in much larger wheel loads on the landside and waterside rails. LPC booms are supported by hangers or pedestals at the landside and hangers at the waterside; a latest generation boom is 130 m long and has a massive 7 m deep truss.
This paper discusses key design issues and solutions for projects in Australia, Florida, and Massachusetts. Issues include crane and component weight challenges, geometry constraints, wheel loads, and skidding. The paper also presents selected design features and fabrication challenges particular to LPCs.