A new design method for site-joints of the tower crane mast by non-linear FEM analysis

Among the themes related to earthquake countermeasures at construction sites, those for tower cranes are particularly important. An accident involving the collapse of a crane during the construction of a skyscraper has serious consequences, such as human injury or death, enormous repair costs, and significant delays in construction. One of the causes of deadly tower crane collapses is the destruction of the site joints of the tower crane mast. This paper proposes a new design method by static elastoplastic finite element analysis using a supercomputer for the design of the end plate–type tensile bolted joints, which are generally applied to the site joints of a tower crane mast. This new design method not only enables highly accurate and reliable joint design but also allows for a design that considers construction conditions, such as the introduction of a pre-tension axial force on the bolts. By applying this new design method, the earthquake resistance of tower cranes will undoubtedly be improved.