Development of Structural Health Monitoring Strategy for Port Cranes using a Sensor Network

Fatigue failure is one of the most common failure modes in steel structures when subjected to variable or repeated loading. Involving repeated loading, moving, and unloading containers, the quayside ship-to-shore cranes are prone to develop fatigue-induced cracks. Non-destructive inspection methods are mostly used in port cranes to detect fatigue-induced cracks. However, the methods have uncertainties on the initiation and location of the fatigue cracks and they must be manually and periodically conducted, which results in significant downtime and inspection efforts. This research project is to improve the current inspection practice by developing a method for more accurate identification of potential fatigue damage in the port cranes based on structural health monitoring techniques. The outcome of this project will improve the competence of the industry partner by extending its market converge to structural performance assessment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Oh-Sung Kwon

Student:

Xu Huang;Jamin Park

Partner:

Titan International Industries Limited

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto