Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Transport Technology



H.C.P. Verdegaal Parallel katsysteem voor een containerkraan.
Engineering Assignment, Report 97.3.TT.4956, Transport Engineering and Logistics.


In examining possibilities to enlarge the capacity of a container gantry crane, reducing the weight of the trolley has great influence on the cranes cycle time. In this report therefore a trolley will be designed which weighs about 60% less than a conventional construction.
After the introduction the second chapter will declare the used loading principles and the classification of the crane in a crane group. This classification is a result of a design load of 75 tons and a number of load changes during the cranes life that it to be expected.
In the next chapter the possibilities in reducing the weight of the trolley on a conventional way are considered. In chapter 4 the choice for the final idea is made, explaining the advantages and disadvantages. The idea that is to be worked out is spliting the trolley in two identical parts driving parallel through the rails. Most important advantage of this construction is that a main frame, like in a conventional trolley, is not needed.
In chapter 5 the stress in the different parts of the cat is calculated, assuming maximum load. These values will be compared with the highest acceptable stress in the used materials under the circumstances.
Finally in chapter 6 the conclusion is presented. The weight of the designed trolley can be limited to 10 tons (without the drive); that matches the objective amply. A conventional trolley designed for the same load will weigh as much as about 30 tons. Besides the idea of spliting the trolley, some other uncoventional ideas contribute to the weight reduction: the moulded polyamid wheels and the parallel and vertical hanged cables.


Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
Modified: 2006.12.29; logistics@3mE.tudelft.nl , TU Delft / 3mE / TT / LT.