Parameter sensitivity analysis for effectual design of gantry girder

Gantry girders are essential in factories because they provide the main structural support for overhead cranes, making moving and carrying large objects easier. Traditional design techniques frequently result in material waste and ineffective section selection; therefore, an effective solution is required to attain both value for money and durability. The present study is about the effectual design of gantry girders with several significant components. The analysis of gantry girders is significantly influenced by various parameters, including crane capacity, truss length, and span, which directly impact their structural behaviour and design requirements. The gantry girder could be designed as a laterally supported or laterally unsupported beam. In most cases, the girder is used to design as a laterally unsupported beam. In the study, the effect of variation in parameters like loading, crane truss length, and span of girders has been investigated thoroughly utilising IS 800:2007 and IS 808:1989. To select an effective section, empirical formulae are deduced that balance the needs for shear and flexural strength. The study analyses parameters to determine section size and strength capacity to obtain empirical relationships that enhance design effectiveness. The analysis has shown that flexural strength plays a crucial role in the design for lower values of parameters, while for higher values, the shear force dominates the design of the girder. Besides the strength requirements like moment, shear, and web-buckling, checks for serviceability criteria like deflection have also been performed. The sectional dimensions of the girder were studied intensely in designing the gantry for each parametric variation case. The outcomes have led to the development of certain equations that can directly be used for designing industrial gantry girders.