EOT Crane Wheel Load Calculator

Calculate maximum static and dynamic wheel loads for runway design.

Read the Engineering Guide to Wheel Load Distribution

1. Crane Configuration

meters

meters (Support to Hook Center)

2. Weights & Loads

kg

kg (Total)

kg

kg

3. Dynamic Factors

% (10-25% typical)

Analysis Result

MAX WHEEL LOAD

Max Static Load: 0 kg
Max Dynamic Load: 0 kg
*Includes Vertical Impact Factor
Total Live Load: 0 kg
Bridge Load/Wheel: 0 kg
Min Wheel Load (Unloaded): 0 kg
Position Factor: 0.00
Analysis based on worst-case trolley position (Extreme End).

Illustrative Impact Factors

These are screening examples only. Select the dynamic factor from the project's governing crane standard and design basis.

Duty Class Impact Factor Application
M1 - M3 1.10 (+10%) Maintenance / Light
M4 - M5 1.20 (+20%) Warehouse / Heavy
M6 - M7 1.30 (+30%) Steel Mill / Severe
M8 1.40 (+40%) Continuous / Critical

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Understanding Wheel Load Calculations

Calculating wheel loads is a fundamental step in designing the structural support system for an EOT crane, including the runway beams (gantry girders), columns, and building foundations.

Vertical Loads (Static)

  • Safe Working Load (SWL): The maximum rated capacity of the crane.
  • Dead Weights: Includes the weight of the bridge girder(s), the trolley/hoist, and the hook block assembly.
  • Positioning: The maximum wheel load occurs when the trolley (carrying the full SWL) is at its extreme "Hook Approach" position, closest to one end of the bridge. This creates an unbalanced load distribution that concentrates weight on one side.

Dynamic Factors

  • Vertical Impact: The calculator applies the user-entered percentage to the live-load reaction only. The project designer must select the correct dynamic factor.
  • Lateral Load (Surge): Horizontal forces perpendicular to the rails caused by the acceleration or braking of the trolley.
  • Longitudinal Load (Tractive): Forces caused by the acceleration or braking of the entire crane along the runway.

Results Explained

  • Max Dynamic Wheel Load: This is the "worst-case" force a single wheel will exert on the rail. Structural engineers use this value to design the runway beams.
  • Min Wheel Load: Calculated with the trolley at the opposite end and no lifted load. This is used to check for wheel slippage during travel and potential uplift on the runway structure.

For structural, crane and project engineers.

Engineering notes

Using preliminary wheel reactions responsibly

Purpose: estimate maximum static, maximum dynamic and minimum vertical load per bridge wheel for early runway and quotation comparisons.

Inputs explained

Span and hook approach
Set the position factor when the loaded hook is closest to one runway side.
Wheels per end truck
Divides each side reaction equally between two wheels or an assumed four-wheel bogie.
SWL, trolley and hook mass
Treated as one moving resultant at the entered hook approach.
Bridge mass
Assumed to divide equally between the two runway sides.
Impact percentage
Applied only to the moving live-load reaction for the dynamic result.

Formula basis

moving load = SWL + trolley mass + hook mass

near-side live reaction = moving load x (span - approach) / span

dead reaction = bridge mass / 2

max static wheel = (live reaction + dead reaction) / wheels per side

max dynamic wheel = (live reaction x impact factor + dead reaction) / wheels per side

Worked example

For 20 m span, 1 m hook approach, 10,000 kg SWL, 6,000 kg bridge, 800 kg trolley, 200 kg hook block, two wheels per side and 15% impact: the calculator gives about 6,725 kg maximum static, 7,509 kg maximum dynamic and 1,525 kg minimum per wheel. Structural design should convert and combine these reactions using the governing load combinations.

Assumptions

  • Bridge behaves as a simply supported span.
  • Moving load acts at one resultant position.
  • Bridge dead weight splits equally between sides.
  • Side reaction divides equally among wheels in that end truck.

Results interpretation

  • Use max dynamic load for preliminary rail/runway screening.
  • Use min load when checking uplift, traction and wheel contact assumptions.
  • Request vendor-issued wheel loads in force units with load cases.
  • Check both runway sides and crane travel directions.

Limitations

  • No individual trolley-wheel distribution or local girder effects.
  • No skew, surge, traction, wind, seismic or buffer loads.
  • No bogie equalization, wheel tolerance or rail misalignment.
  • No structural load combinations or fatigue verification.

Related standards to check

Use the crane and building standards required by the project location.

  • ISO 8686-1:2012 - general crane loads and load combinations.
  • ISO 8686-5:2017 - overhead travelling and portal bridge cranes.
  • Applicable runway/building code for structural combinations, fatigue and serviceability.

FAQ

Why is maximum load near the end?

The moving load produces its largest reaction on the nearest support when hook approach is smallest.

Are results in kg or kN?

The page displays kg-equivalent mass. Structural calculations should use force units and the correct gravity/load factors.

Does this size the runway beam?

No. It provides preliminary reactions; runway design also needs spacing, fatigue, horizontal loads and combinations.

Next action: obtain the vendor wheel-load schedule

Request maximum and minimum wheel loads, wheel spacing, end-carriage geometry, horizontal loads, impact basis and governing load combinations.

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