Collapse of a tower crane
The tower crane collapsed during the positioning of a heavy balcony of the new Parktoren.
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A tower crane collapsed in Rotterdam. The incident was investigated by the Dutch Safety Board, which requested the assistance of Femto Engineering to check the structural integrity of the crane using FEM analysis. All structurally important parts were included in the analysis model. Since the crane is a flexible structure, the negative influences of dynamic effects could not be neglected and dynamic analyzes such as eigenvalue and forced response were carried out. These dynamic situations occur while moving the load or hoisting.
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FEA sheds light on fatal accident >
In Rotterdam in 2008, a crane being used in the construction of a high-rise apartment building collapsed for no apparent reason. The crane operator, who was working 315 feet (96 meters) above ground in the crane’s trolley, was killed. There was also extensive damage to the construction site. The accident could have been even worse because the crane’s operating radius covered a nearby footpath and children’s play area. The fatality triggered the involvement of the Dutch Safety Board, which began its investigation immediately.
