Comparison of FEM structural analysis and strain gauge measurements of a deck crane

Abstract

A new universal 40 t deck crane for bulk carriers was constructed by the Towimor S.A., Toruh, the main Polish supplier of deck cranes and deck machinery [1], Strain gauge measurements of the crane were performed during the stand tests at the factory. After the tests a finite element analysis of the crane was carried out to provide additional detail information for checking accuracy of the numerical modelling in view of improving the applied FE model. In this study application of the FE method played a role independent of the experiments. Comparison of the results obtained from the two methods made it possible to improve the FE model and support the experimental results.