Optimization of crane telescopic boom design to reduce metal consumption

Abstract

The present study is devoted to the development of a comprehensive methodology for optimizing the design of telescopic cranes in order to reduce metal consumption while maintaining operational characteristics. The work uses a combined approach, including topological optimization, the finite element method and multi- criteria optimization using genetic algorithms. The empirical basis of the study includes an analysis of the design parameters of telescopic booms with a lifting capacity of 80-300 tons, experimental data on the stress-strain state under various loads, and the results of numerical modeling in the ANSYS Workbench software package. The main results show the possibility of reducing metal consumption by 18,7% due to the use of adaptive topological optimization, reducing the mass of the structure by 14,2% when using composite materials in critical areas, and increasing the material utilization rate to 0.87 versus the initial 0.73. The developed technique makes it possible to achieve a reduction in the specific consumption of steel up to 12.3~kg/ton of load capacity while meeting all the requirements of strength and stability. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of applying the proposed solutions to modernize existing and create new designs of telescopic booms with improved weight and size characteristics, which contributes to increasing the competitiveness of domestic crane equipment in the global market.