Container Gantry Crane Controlled Collapse for Safer Deconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deconstructing gantry cranes are inefficient, unsafe, and time-consuming, particularly when working at height or over water, due to the need for piece-by-piece disassembly and heavy lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving partial cutting of structural members at specific cut points followed by controlled collapse using a lateral force, allowing the crane to fold safely and efficiently, reducing the need for piece-by-piece disassembly and heavy lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piece-by-piece disassembly using heavy lift cranes is used, then the crane can be removed safely, but the process is time-consuming and requires extensive lifting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The structural members are segmented into multiple sections by making cuts at predetermined locations. This allows the crane to be divided into manageable segments that can collapse in a controlled sequence, reducing the time required for complete disassembly while maintaining safety through planned segmentation points
Solution Approach 2:
Cuts are made in advance at predetermined locations on the structural members before the actual collapse process begins. This preliminary weakening of specific members allows the controlled collapse to proceed quickly without requiring time-consuming lifting operations during the actual demolition phase
2Reliability
If piece-by-piece disassembly is performed, then complete removal is achieved, but operators must work at height and over water increasing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The dangerous working conditions (height and over-water operations) are extracted and eliminated from the process. Instead of operators working at height to cut and remove members, the crane is made to collapse to the ground where all subsequent work can be performed from safe, ground-level positions
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary cutting and preparation work is performed in advance while the crane is still standing, using remote or automated cutting methods. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to be positioned at height during the actual collapse and disassembly operations
3Ease of manufacture
If heavy lift mobile cranes are used for piece-by-piece removal, then sections can be removed, but the process requires extensive lifting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The complex heavy lift crane operations are extracted and eliminated from the process. The method replaces multiple complex lifting operations with a single controlled collapse event followed by simple ground-level removal of collapsed sections
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical lifting system (heavy lift cranes) is replaced with a controlled gravitational collapse system. Instead of using mechanical force to lift and remove sections, gravity is harnessed to collapse the structure in a controlled manner, eliminating the need for complex lifting machinery
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly enhances safety and efficiency by minimizing time spent at height and over water, while eliminating the need for heavy lifting, thus improving overall deconstruction speed and safety.
Implementation Method 1
cutting partially through each of the structural members at cut points
Implementation Method 2
applying a lateral force to the gantry crane above the cut points, thereby causing the gantry crane to collapse
Implementation Method 3
The structural members are weakened at the cut points so that when the lateral force is applied, the structural members pivot about the cut points and the crane folds
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A method of deconstructing a container gantry crane (100), the gantry crane comprising legs (102, 103). The method comprises: weakening structural members (102, 103, 107) of the gantry crane by cutting partially through each of the structural members at cut points (201, 202, 203, 204), the cut points comprising a leg cut point on each leg of the gantry crane and on the horizontal girders (107). The method further comprises applying a lateral force to the gantry crane (100) above the cut points, thereby causing the gantry crane to collapse.