This dissertation presents a comprehensive study on the structural failure mechanisms and safety evaluation of lifting devices widely used in industrial workplaces, including chain slings, lifting lugs, and jib cranes. Lifting devices are essential eq...
This dissertation presents a comprehensive study on the structural failure mechanisms and safety evaluation of lifting devices widely used in industrial workplaces, including chain slings, lifting lugs, and jib cranes. Lifting devices are essential equipment for handling heavy loads, yet improper usage, non-standard fastening methods, aging, and insufficient maintenance often lead to failures with potentially severe consequences. Therefore, identifying the root causes of such failures and validating the adequacy of international standards are crucial tasks both academically and practically.
The research methodology combined experimental and numerical approaches. Dimensional inspection, fracture surface observation, strength and material property evaluation were carried out alongside Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to investigate the mechanical behavior under various operating conditions. This multi-faceted approach enabled the identification of failure-inducing factors such as non-standard fastening, repeated loading, localized stress concentration, and overloading. Additionally, comparisons with international standards (DIN EN, ISO, ASME, AISC) and Korean safety regulations were conducted to assess their relevance to real-world industrial practices.
For chain slings, results indicated that standard fastening methods, such as those involving master links, provide stable stress distribution and greater structural reliability, while non-standard fastening, such as direct wrapping on eyebolts, induces stress concentration and significantly increases the risk of localized damage. Furthermore, aged chains demonstrated marked strength deterioration, underscoring the importance of discard criteria and the necessity of routine inspections in long-term applications.
For lifting lugs, both analytical and numerical evaluations confirmed that high local stresses occur around the lug hole in contact with the pin. This suggested that fatigue due to repeated lifting cycles, rather than sudden overloads, was the dominant cause of failure. These findings emphasize that fatigue performance must be carefully considered in both the design and maintenance stages of lifting devices that undergo frequent operations.
For jib cranes, field-based three-dimensional modeling and simulations under various load conditions revealed that repetitive heavy lifting causes stress concentrations in specific structural members, leading to deformation and reduced fatigue life. Exceeding the design load significantly accelerated durability loss and increased the likelihood of structural failure, demonstrating the critical need to adhere to design specifications and to avoid unauthorized modifications or misuse in the field.
Overall, this dissertation demonstrates that the failure of lifting devices cannot be attributed solely to overloading but results from a complex interplay of factors, including non-standard fastening, load imbalance, fatigue accumulation, aging, and stress concentration. The findings validate the structural soundness of international standards while pointing out the necessity for more rigorous inspection protocols and enhanced maintenance practices in industrial environments. This research contributes to both academia and industry by providing an integrated framework for understanding failure mechanisms, offering valuable insights for improving design codes, and supporting the development of accident prevention strategies in lifting operations. Furthermore, by encompassing chain slings, lifting lugs, and jib cranes within a single comprehensive study, this dissertation establishes a foundation for future research directions in the field of industrial safety engineering.