Keywords: tower crane, stability examination, lifting plan, lateral support, rope guying, wall bracing.

Currently, a limited number of studies have been carried out on tower crane selection and stability examination, yet even these do not reflect the various field conditions such as soft ground [1,2,3]. In addition, there are not enough studies conducted on tower crane selection and stability examination processes that both consider the design of the foundation plate and the reinforcing lateral support when it exceeds the free-standing height [4,5]. Thus, this study is intended to supplement the limitations of the previous studies, in order to select a tower crane and to examine the stability of the selected crane at the same time, suggesting the 'management processes for tower crane selection and support design'.

To achieve the objective of this study, first, the lifting operation plans of construction projects are identified and the trends in relation to crane selection is analysed. Second, after analysing limitations of the previous studies, the improved optimal tower crane selection and stability examination process are suggested. Finally, the suggested process details are described.

The proposed management process determines the operating conditions including the crane jib type, installation method, turning radius, operating radius and lifted load, which are all identified in the initial lifting operation plan. Then, candidate cranes are selected from the crane database. A person in charge reviews the specifications to select a tower crane that is the most appropriate to the field conditions. The selected tower crane must be examined for the stability of the foundation and lateral support design and material selection based on the information on section size, free standing and installation height, which will end the management process suggested in this study. In particular, lateral support methods are divided into the wall bracing and the rope guying methods, developing a detailed process for each respectively.

The process suggested in the study is helpful for systematically selecting an optimal tower crane based on the performance data for various tower crane types at the lifting operation planning stage. It is expected that operators will be able to establish an efficient practical lifting operation plan by adopting the stability examination process based on the crane foundation and lateral support design. The results of this study can be used to develop a computing system for tower crane management.

1

C. Gray, J. Little, "A systematic approach to the selection of an appropriate crane for a construction site", Construction Management and Economics, 3(2), 121-144, 1985. doi:10.1080/01446198500000010

2

H.M. Lee, J.K. Ho, S.K. Kim, "The optimization algorithm for wall bracing supports of tower cranes", Korea Institute of Construction Engineering, 11(1), 130-140, 2010. doi:10.6106/KJCEM.2010.11.1.130

3

W.S. Lee, J.K. Ho, S.K. Kim, "A study on the stability of rope guying of tower cranes", Korea Institute of Construction Engineering, 9(2), 247-252, 2009.

4

S. Furusaka, C. Gray, "A model for the selection of the optimum crane for construction sites", Construction Management and Economics, 2(2), 157-176, 1984. doi:10.1080/01446198400000015

5

S.K. Kim, J.Y. Kim, D.H. Lee, S.Y. Ryu, "Automation optimal design algorithm for the foundation of tower cranes", Automation in Construction, 20, 56-65, 2011.

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