OLEO Calculations

OLEO Sample Calculations

A Member of the GANTRY GROUP

BOdiES in mOtiOn
Kinetic Energy is associated with a body in motion. Newton’s 1st Law of Motion states that a body will continue in motion
unless acted upon by a force. An Oleo Hydraulic Bumper will control the magnitude and duration of this force. Newton’s 2nd
Law of Motion provides that the rate of change of motion is proportional to the force applied. An Oleo Hydraulic Bumper
ensures that the force applied is always the minimum required to produce the desired change in motion. Newton’s 3rd Law of
Motion identifies that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. An Oleo Hydraulic Bumper controls the arresting
force and limits the reaction on the supporting structure. These principles are the foundation for understanding the benefits and
characteristics of a hydraulic energy absorber such as the Oleo Hydraulic Bumper.

KinEtiC EnERGY
A body in motion, such as a crane, has kinetic energy that must be dissipated to bring it to rest. A hydraulic bumper produces
a resistive force over a displacement to dissipate the energy by converting work energy to thermal energy. The bumper forces
oil through a variable orifice to produce fluidic friction and therefore a resisting force.

The graph above on the right shows equal amounts of kinetic energy (represented by the area under the Force vs. Stroke
curve) being absorbed with different stroke lengths. As you can see, the more stroke, the lower the resistive force. This
resistive force is proportional to the rate of change of motion, or deceleration. Ultimately, the Oleo bumper governs the
magnitude of force transmitted to both the impacting body as well as the reaction force onto the support or fixed structure.

pROpELLinG FORCES
In many applications, the body in motion is also being propelled. This propelling force is additive with the Kinetic Energy as it
acts through the displacement of the bumper. It is always important to determine whether or not the impacting body will be
propelled during the impact and to allow sufficient additional energy capacity. Not all design codes or references include
propelling forces, so it is the designer’s responsibility to determine when they should be considered.

BumpER End FORCES and tHE dESiGnER

Oleo bumper end forces can be easily calculated and have been verified through extensive testing. For most applications, a
standard hydraulic bumper can be utilized to meet the requirements of typical safety codes. Often, the designer can select a
longer stroke bumper to further reduce the transmitted force generating a savings in the cost of structure and sometimes in the
machine itself. For applications with impacting speeds above 500 ft/min (2.5 m/sec) or special deceleration requirements,
please consult Gantrex for assistance.

dESiGn aSSiStanCE
Gantrex Application Engineers are able to assist you by providing calculations, specifications, computer simulations, CAD
drawings or any other technical support you may require.

IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLEO INTERNATIONAL

-1-

-1-
 SampLE CaLCuLatiOnS
SampLE CaLCuLatiOnS

dEFinitiOn OF VaRiaBLES

WB = Weight of Bridge (Ibs) SRB = Minimum Stroke Required for Bridge (in)
WT = Weight of Trolley (Ibs) SAT = Minimum Stroke Required for Trolley (in)
W EB = Effective Weight per Bumper on Bridge (Ibs) SAB = Stroke Available for Selected Bridge Bumper (in)
W ET = Effective Weight per Bumper on Trolley (Ibs) SAT = Stroke Available for Selected Trolley Bumper (in)
2
VB = Maximum Travel Speed of Bridge (ft/sec) A50% = Maximum Deceleration at 50% Speed (ft/sec )
VT = Maximum Travel Speed of Trolley (ft/sec) EFB = Maximum Bumper End Force Bridge (Ibs)
VB50% = 50% of VB (ft/sec) EFT = Maximum Bumper End Force Trolley (Ibs)
VT50% = 50% of VT (ft/sec) µ = Oleo Bumper Efficiency varies from .85 to .95 by
VEB = Effective Speed Per Case 2-4 Table 1 (ft/sec) application. Conservatively use .85 for crane
KEB = Kinetic Energy per Bumper on Bridge (ft-Ibs) applications.
KET = Kinetic Energy per Bumper on Trolley (ft-Ibs)

taBLE 1
application for Bumpers of the Same type used together

A.
a. WORKED
WORKEd CRANE
CRanE EXAMPLE
EXampLE (CASE(CaSE 1,
1, AIST
aiSE TR
#6)#6) OIeo bumper Type 9 has SAB = 15.75 inches so it is
Bridge Weight (WB): 300,000 lbs acceptable.
Trolley Weight (Wt): 100,000 lbs 4. Select Metering Pin from “Type 9” OIeo bumper data
Bridge Speed (VB): 6.0 ft/sec sheet, “Metering Pin Selection Table”. Maximum impact
Trolley Speed (Vt): 3.33 ft/sec weight per side (from 1, above):
BRidGE WEB = 240,000 lbs
1. Maximum Impact Weight per side (WEB): Therefore select metering pin #10 which is good for
WEB = ½ (WB) + .9 (Wt) impact weights up to 330,000 lbs.
WEB = ½ (300,000 ibs) + .9 (100,000 lbs) 5. Select options from bumper data sheets including
WEB = 240,000 lbs mounting style, protective bellows, marine plating, safety
2. Kinetic Energy per side (KEB): cable, bumper head diameter, foot mounting brackets,
high temperature seals, low inflation pressure, etc.
6. Specify OIeo Bumper Model: 9SBZ140-10
(For rear flange mount, safety cable, #10 metering pin
plus any additional options from data sheet.)
7. Maximum Bumper End Force (EFB) to be provided to the
building or runway designer.
So Oleo Type 9 has sufficient energy capacity.
OIeo bumper Type 9 has SAB = 15.75 inches and the
3. Minimum Stroke Required to meet the suggestions of sample crane has KEB = 134,161 ft-Ibs:
AISE TR #6 (SRB):
AIST
≤ 16 ft/sec2 @ 50% speed)
AISE TR #6, A 50% b
(For AIST

-2-

-2-
 SampLE CaLCuLatiOnS

8. Maximum Deceleration at 50% Speed (A50%): 6. Specify Oleo Bumper Model 9SBZ140-08.
(For rear flange mount, safety cable, #08 metering pin plus any
additional options from the data sheet.)
7. Maximum Bumper End Force (EFB70 = 107,169 lbs.)

End force at 50% speed = EFB50 = (50/70)2 x 107,169 + 54,678 lbs.

TROLLEY:
8. Maximum Deceleration at 50% Speed (A50%):
1. Maximum Impact Weight per side (WET): Crane 1:
WET = ½ (WT) Max. dec. = (EFB50/WEB1) x g = (54,678/240,000) x 32.2 = 7.34 ft/sec2
WET = ½ (100,000 Ibs) Crane 2:
WET = 50,000 lbs Max. dec. = (EFB50/WEB2) x g = (54,678/283,000) x 32.2 = 6.22 ft/sec2
2. Kinetic Energy per side (KET):
C. WORKED CRANE EXAMPLE (CASE 1. CMAA)
BRIDGE (Use the same crane data as A.)
1. Calculate maximum impact weight per side,
WEB = 240,000 lbs as per the above.
2. Calculate Kinetic Energy per side (KEB) as per above,
but use:

Proceed as for bridge bumpers and select:

Oleo Bumper Model 21SBS100-105.
B. WORKED CRANE EXAMPLE (CASE 3. AIST #6)
Crane 1 Crane 2 3. So Oleo Type 21-150 has sufficient energy capacity.
W B1 = 300,000 lbs W B2 = 350,000 lbs Minimum stroke required to meet CMAA:
W T1 = 100,000 lbs W T2 = 120,000 lbs
VB1 = 6.0 ft/sec VB2 = 5.0 ft/sec
1. Maximum Impact Weight per side (WEB) for each crane
as per the previous example:
W EB1 = 240,000 lbs W EB2 = 283,000 lbs
Calculate the net effective weight per Table 1:
Oleo bumper Type 21-150 has SAB = 6 inches, so
it is acceptable.
4. Select Metering Pin #08 from bumper data sheet as
done previously.
5. Select options.

2. Determine the net impact velocity (VEB) per Table 1.

6. Specify Oleo Bumper Model 21SBS100-158
Note that AISET TR #6 calls for 70% of the speed of both (For rear flange mount, safety cable, #158 metering pin)
cranes or 100% of either. Here we use the 70% rule 7. EF B = 50,508 lbs.
which is greatest:
8. Average Deceleration at 20% speed (A 20%):
VEB = (.70)(VB1)+(.70)(VB2)=(.70)(6.0)+(.70)(5.0)
Substitute SAB for SRB in equation 3 and solve for actual
VEB = 7.7 ft/sec
A20%:
Kinetic Energy Per Side (KEB) using WEB and VEB from 1. A20% = 1.3 ft/sec
2
and 2. above: (For CMAA, A20% b 3 ft/sec )
2

TROLLEY
So Oleo Type 9 has sufficient energy capacity.
1. WET = 50,000 lbs.
4. Select Metering Pin from “Type 9” OIeo Bumper data
2. VET = (.5)(VT) = (.5)(3.33 ft/sec) = 1.61 ft/sec
sheet, “Metering Pin Selection Table” using KET = 2,165 ft-lbs
W EB = 129,866 ft-lbs as calculated above.
Therefore select Metering Pin #08 which is good for up Proceed as for CMAA bridge bumpers, but use:
to 176,000 lbs. 2
A33% b 4.7 ft/sec .
5. Select Options as per previous example.
Select Oleo Bumper Model 21SBS100-055.
2
EFT50% = 15,282 lbs and A33% = 3.1 ft/sec

-3-
 COmmOn COdES FOR CRanES
COMMON CODES FOR CRANES

1. AIST TECHNICAL REPORT #6, 2005 2. CMAA SPECIFICATION #70, 2004

“Bumpers Provisions in the design of the runway and the “Bridge bumpers - Have energy absorbing (or
design of the runway stops shall consider the energy dissipating) capacity to stop the crane when
absorbing or storage device used in the crane bumper. The traveling with power off in either direction at a speed
device may be nonlinear (e.g. hydraulic bumpers) or a linear of at least 40 percent of rated load speed.
device such as a coil spring. Be capable of stopping the crane (not including
The maximum deceleration rate for both bridge and load block and lifted load unless guided vertically) at
2
trolley shall not exceed 16 fps at 50% of the full load rated a rate of deceleration not to exceed an average of 3
speed (full load rated speed shall be used unless adequate feet per second per second when traveling with
information is supplied by owner to determine the actual power off in either direction at 20 percent of rated
attainable maximum speed). Additionally, bumpers shall be load speed.
capable of absorbing the total energy at 100% full load rated Be so mounted that there is no direct shear on
speed. bolts upon impact.
Between cranes or trolleys (if two trolleys are located on Bumpers shall be designed and installed to
one bridge) bumpers shall be capable of absorbing the minimize parts falling from the crane in case of
energy from 70% of full load rated speed of both cranes or breakage or loosening of bolted connections.
trolleys traveling in opposite directions, or the energy from It is the responsibility of the owner or specifier to
100% of full load rated speed of either crane or trolley, provide the crane manufacturer with information for
whichever is the greatest. bumper design. Information necessary for proper
The design of all bumpers shall include safety cables to bumper design includes:
prevent parts from dropping to the floor. • Number of cranes on runway, bridge speed,
For computing bridge bumper energy, the trolley shall approximate weight, etc.
be placed in the end approach which will produce the • Height of runway stops or bumper above the
maximum end reaction from both bridge and trolley. This runway rail.
end reaction shall be used as the maximum weight portion • Clearance between cranes and end of run-way.
of the crane that can act on each bridge bumper. The Runway stops are normally designed and
energy absorbing capacity of the bumper shall be based on provided by the owner or specifier and are located
power-oft and shall not include the lifted load if free to at the limits of the bridge travel and engage the full
swing. Bridge bumpers shall have a contact surface of not surface of the bumper.
less than 5 in. in diameter, be located on the rail centerline Runway stops engaging the tread of the wheel
and mounted to provide proper clearance when bumpers of are not recommended.
two cranes come together and both are fully compressed. Trolley Bumpers - Have energy absorbing (or
Note: The building and end stops shall be designed to dissipating) capacity to stop the trolley when
withstand those forces of the fully loaded crane at 100% traveling with power off in either direction at a speed
rated speed (power off). Please refer to AISE T Technical of at least 50 percent of rated load speed.
Report No. 13.” Be capable of stopping the trolley (not including
load block and lifted load unless guided vertically) at
a rate of deceleration not to exceed an average of
4.7 feet per second per second when traveling with
power off in either direction at 1/3 of rated load
speed.
Be so mounted that there is no direct shear on
bolts upon impact.
Bumpers shall be designed and installed to
minimize parts falling from the trolley in case of
breakage.
Trolley stops shall be provided at the limit of the
trolley travel, and shall engage the full surface of the
bumper.
Trolley stops engaging the tread of the wheel
are not recommended.”

(From Association for Iron & Steel Technology Report #6) (From Crane Manufacturer’s Association of America Spec. #70)

IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLEO INTERNATIONAL

TOLL FREE: 800 2 GANTREX (800) 242-6873 © GANTREX, 2003

tOLL
WebFREE: 800 2 GantREX
site: www.gantrex.com (800) 242-6873
· Email: [email protected]
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
© GANTREX, 2008
Rev. 05/03
PRINTED in U.S.A.
Web site: www.gantrex.com- •4Email:
-
[email protected]
Rev. 10/09
Quality on Track®
-4-