Tower Crane Knowledge & Engineering Resources

Construction of high-rise buildings, large-scale apartment blocks, or construction in urban areas (especially busy downtowns) demands increasingly greater use of tower cranes. Tower cranes rank fourth as objects involved in accidents, behind temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding), construction machines (e.g., backhoes), and construction vehicles. About 2100 crane-related accidents are reported annually and 23.7% of these occur on construction sites. Tower cranes are associated with 7.2% of all lifting equipment accidents in Korea.

The majority of accidents related to lifting machinery between 2015 and 2020 were associated with the operation of tower cranes. For instance, out of 25 crane-related incidents, 12 (47%) occurred during the operation of tower cranes, 4 (20%) during the operation of crawler and mobile cranes, 2 (10%) during the use of manipulator cranes, and 2 (7%) during the use of overhead gantry, and while using the portal cranes. Despite the varied crane types, the focus on tower cranes intensifies when considering occupational accidents.

The majority of accidents related to lifting machinery between 2015 and 2020 were associated with the operation of tower cranes. For instance, out of 25 crane-related incidents, 12 (47%) occurred during the operation of tower cranes, 4 (20%) during the operation of crawler and mobile cranes, 2 (10%) during the use of manipulator cranes, and 2 (7%) during the use of overhead gantry, and while using the portal cranes. Despite the varied crane types, the focus on tower cranes intensifies when considering occupational accidents.

The safety of tower cranes has the potential to improve practices of building and outcomes in construction. The mechanical performance and failure mode of braced frame joints are analyzed in this research.

The safety of tower cranes has been examined through various lenses, including the stages of installation and dismantling, as well as factors such as selection, location, earthquakes, wind, and overall layout.

Results show that the embedded parts of the wall joints undergo two types of damage depending on the installation form: the pull out damage of parts due to incomplete anchoring, and the bending fracture damage of shear wall under sufficient anchoring. The load-displacement curves for the embedded parts exhibit evident two-stage variation, whereas the effect of anchoring reinforcement mode on displacement is unapparent.

Jib tower cranes are known for their strong safety features and stability, especially when not in operation and during windy conditions. With the evolving trends in the construction industry, we've witnessed a reduction in the size of construction sites. The increasing use of jib cranes in the construction of skyscrapers, particularly in densely populated cities, aligns well with contemporary requirements, signaling a probable rise in their usage. These cranes play a vital role in the on-site operations of tall building projects.