Basic Crane Design and Stress Analysis
This online engineering PDH course provides an understanding of stress analysis procedures and methods used in the design of cranes and other lifting components.
This course explores how both hand calculation techniques and finite element analysis (FEA) are used in structural design, with emphasis on the importance of validating assumptions through both methods. While hand calculations provide a simplified approach, they must be supported by FEA and relevant code standards for safe and accurate results.
Also, this course focuses on components fabricated from aluminum, referencing industry standards such as the Aluminum Association design manual. Although the methods are demonstrated using aluminum, the same procedures can be applied to steel components following AISC standards.
Moreover, this course uses a crane example designed to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards to illustrate key design steps and introduces conservative design practices that can be adapted for broader applications.
This 3 PDH online course is intended for mechanical, structural and civil engineers as well as other technical professionals involved in crane design and stress analysis.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the allowable design stresses used in crane and lifting component design, and how they influence structural integrity
- Gaining familiarity with relevant design codes and standards used in crane design, including references for further in-depth study (e.g., AISC, SOLAS, Aluminum Association standards)
- Learning how to perform hand calculations to support and validate finite element analysis (FEA), especially when simplifying assumptions are used
- Determining when to apply 3D FEA for stress analysis and when hand calculations are sufficient for accurate design justification
- Knowing how to specify and order manufactured components used in crane construction based on design requirements and code-compliant practices
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the course document titled, “Basic Crane Design and Stress Analysis”, and the figures document below prepared by Timothy Schrader.
BASIC CRANE DESIGN AND STRESS ANALYSIS - FIGURES (2.4 MB)
Once you complete your course review, you need to take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions to earn 3 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document.
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.