Jacek Olearczyk

Automated Method for Checking Crane Paths for Heavy Lifts in Industrial Projects

AbstractAt present, industrial projects are constructed primarily using a prefabricated approach. The modules are produced in an off-site facility and transported on transport trailers to the construction site where they are lifted by mobile cranes. One of the keys to the success of modular industrial projects is efficient crane planning, which includes path checking to find whether or not a crane has a feasible path through which to lift a module over obstructions in a congested plant. However, due to the large number of lifts, the manual path-checking practice is quite tedious and prone to error. In light of this problem, this paper proposes a methodology for automatically checking the lift paths for industrial projects. The proposed methodology simplifies and represents the three-dimensional site layout using project elevations. For each elevation, the crane feasible operation range (CFOR) is calculated based on the crane’s capacity and clearances, as well as site constraints. The pick area (PA) is cal...

An Integrated System to Select, Position, and Simulate Mobile Cranes for Complex Industrial Projects

Determining feasible mobile crane configurations and positions on a complex industrial construction projects that are free of spatial conflicts and the subsequent scheduling of the lifts is important to the productivity and safety of a project. This paper focuses on the integration of a crane dimensional and capacity database with a projects lifted object information to select and position the cranes and then utilize expert knowledge to simulate the heavy lift plan. The system uses dimensional and coordinate data instead of CAD software for computation of crane position areas amongst known obstructions and boundary limits. The crane position area is specific to a crane model and identifies where the center of rotation of the crane can be placed without having any part of the crane body contact the known obstructions and boundary limits. This analysis is performed for multiple cranes and lifted object scenarios to develop a list of possible options. Schedule date constraints and logic are used to simulate and optimize the schedule and crane selection. This provides the practitioner with an effective planning tool to select, position and schedule cranes.

Simulation of modular building construction

Modular construction has the advantage of producing structures quickly and efficiently, while not requiring the resources to build a structure to be co-located with the construction site. Large modules can be produced in quality controlled environments, and then shipped to the construction site and assembled with minimal labor requirements. An additional advantage is that once the modules are on-site, construction can proceed extremely quickly. This is ideal for situations where compressed schedules are required in order to meet client¿s time constraints. This paper examines using software simulation, specifically Simphony.NET, in the design and analysis of the construction process. This is done both before and after project execution to predict productivity and duration and also to allow for exploration of alternate construction scenarios.

3D-Modeling for Crane Selection and Logistics for Modular Construction On-Site Assembly

Adequate crane position on construction site required large amount of site data to be collected, prior to any lift operation. Existed permanent/ non-permanent obstructions as well as objects being placed on their final position, must be considered for each lift. This paper presents a methodology for crane selection and on-site utilization evolutionary algorithm for multi-lifts for modular construction. The proposed methodology accounts for cranes capacity limitation as well as evaluates the crane carrier/body position and orientation. State-of-the-art methodology incorporate evolutionary algorithm that reacts to dynamic changing site conditions. This paper introduces a case study where the objectives were to simplify and optimize the field assembly operation for 5three-storey dormitory buildings including bridges and large roofs in McGregor Village for Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. Each dormitory contains three types of modules and a total of 18 separate modular units. Fully habitable elements were delivered securely on flatbed trailers to the site in advance. An all-terrain mobile hydraulic crane placed in the center of construction site lift each module and placed like a puzzle floor by floor for each building at predefined position. All 100 lifts were conducted in only 10 working days.

Spatial Trajectory Analysis for Cranes Operations on Construction Sites

Managing the behavior and trajectory of an object lifted by a crane is critical to a successful lift. This paper presents advancements in the development of mathematical algorithms for lifted object trajectory paths and analyses. The proposed methodology is divided into smaller manageable phases to control the process and at the same time to create independent modules. Each step of the lifted object movement was geometrically tracked, starting at the lifted object pick-point, through an optimum path development and completing at the object final position (set-point). Parameters such as the minimum distance between the lifted object and passing obstructions and minimum allowable clearance between the lifted object and the crane boom are some of the many predefined rules which were taken into account. The lifted objects spatial trajectory analysis and optimization is a part of the complex assignment relating to the crane selection process. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology and illustrate its essential value.

VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION AUTOMATION FOR MODULAR ASSEMBLY OPERATIONS

On large construction sites crane positions tend to be determined through a process of trial and error. The analysis of complicated spatial static equipment locations is not an easy task. It requires understanding of many complicated aspects of not only the lift procedures or crane equipment limitation but also knowledge of the lifted objects. The virtual, an three-dimensional (3D) CAD modeling process allow for the storage, not only of shape and color (visual aspect), but also material properties, and parametric dependency (intelligent aspect). The utilization of advanced CAD tools allows for the exploration of the behavior of a structure. Digitally animated and simulated, modular construction assembly operation illustrate benefits of implementing 3D and 4D modeling for analysis of lifts and sequence optimization. This paper provides an example of development and methodology to optimize crane selection operation process for the onsite erection of five, three stories dormitory buildings in McGregor Village for Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania USA. Fully habitually modular assembly units were delivered securely on flatbed trailers in advance to the site. A 600 Tone mobile hydraulic crane was placed in the center of construction site to lift over 100 modules in order to construct the 5 buildings in only 10 working days. Created CAD models were efficiently utilized to optimize detailed schedule. The process includes the creation of kinematic movement for each module lift then simulation sequences and finally compile AVI video movie for review and approval.

Intelligent Crane Management Algorithm for Construction Operation

Heavy industrial construction project requires the installation of hundreds of large heavy modules. Effective utilization of lifting equipment is critical to ensuring economical project start-up. Capturing and evaluating global crane relocation, movement, and decommissioning, as well as object lift study and digital visualization, is essential in order to reduce costs and time. This paper presents a unique methodology that combines crane selection, optimum lift sequencing, and project global and individual lift visualizations in a single-sequenced algorithm. The state-of-the-art methodology incorporates all site constraints needed to ensure safe, economical crane lifts and proper reactions responsive to site condition changes. The algorithm is divided into several modules and sub-modules which focus on different aspects of the crane management process. The algorithm buildup structure is designed to employ specific volumes or even stage sections independently which allows the user to run either the entire program or just a specific portion. In this paper the authors also discuss modules of site preparation stages of the algorithm and the mechanism for lift object path development. The visualization algorithm presented in this paper is based on specific case studies, and synopsis for such case is provided for further evaluation. A student dormitory at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is presented as a case study demonstrating efficient construction based on advanced equipment planning. 3D visualization-based motion planning is presented to develop motions of mobile crane operation based on various design changes. In the case study, real time construction schedule updating in the weather changes allows the construction site manager to accurately modify crane lift sequence to ensure timely project delivery.