A rated suspended load assessment identifies the maximum suspended load a dragline can safely operate at. Using actual operational stress measurements to calibrate an as built Finite Element Analysis (FEA) safety factors and acceptance critera related to strength, buckling, and fatigue are identified.
Components are rated individually and presented on a pass/fail basis. Machine operators can use this information to determine if their bucket size is acceptable or if upgrading individual components to increase the RSL provides an adequate return on investment.
- Do structural members pass AISC strength & buckling checks?
- What are their safety factors?
- What components or weld joints are deficient?
- What is the relative fatigue life of the components and weld joints?
- What are the forces and stresses per member & per suspension rope?
- What members are expected to fail first and why?
- What is the optimized RSL for this machine?
