Design and Construction of Lifting Beams
DAVID T. RICKER
T
Lifting beams (also k¡own as spreader beams) are used to
assist in the hoisting process. Most erectors and riggers
accumulate an assortment of-lifting beams during the course
of time. Some common profiles are shown in Fig. l.
The basic lifting beam is shown in Fig. lA. This arrange-
ment provides two places of attachment to the object being
lifted. thus avoiding the possibiiity of overstressing if a sin-
gle attachment were used. This also allows for a straight pull
on the object ra¡her than an oblique pull as would result if
chokers alone were used. This is sometimes important to
minimize unwanted erection stresses or to prevent reversal
of stress in cenain portions of the lifted object. For instance.
the oblique pull in Fig. 2A may cause excess compression
in the top chord of the truss at a time when that chord is
laterally unbraced. The arrangement in Fig. 28 will help to
aÌleviate this tendency and optimum choker locations can
be chosen to minimize the stresses during the erection phase.
Figure 18 illustrates the type of lifting beam that might
be employed in Fig. 28. The beam has multiple holes at the
David T Ficker is a structural engineer in Payson, AZ.
.'li---__¡'
----El-_
B c
l!
t/ \i r -1
I
( æ-J
o
E
Fígure I
{
A B
5TRAI êHT
Figure 2
FOURTH QUARTER/1991
underside fbr attachment to the object to be hoisted. thus
providing a large range of adjustment. This arrangement will
also prevent the object from tilting excessively should the
hook be slightly off-center of the balance point. Figure lC
shows a lifting beam which has good versatility in location
of attachments. This is useful il the objects to be lifted vary
greatly in size and weight. Figure lD shows a lifting beam
used in an inverted position. Although this condition is rela-
tively rare, there are occasions when it is necessary, such
as when two cranes must lift a very heavy object which is
beyond the capacity of a single crane. The inverted lifting
beam enables the cranes to share the load. Figure lE shows
a lifting beam made for a special purpose and is constructed
entirely ol plate material. Figure iF depicts another adap-
tation which permits the lower shackles to be oriented 90'
to their usual position. Figure 3A shows a multiple lifting
beam arrangement such as might be used to support a long
limber object. Figure 3B illustrates a lifting beam fltted with
a chain-fall in order to provide some adjustment if the object
must be jockeyed into position. By varying the lengths of
chokers a fixed-tilt Iifting beam can be made as depicted in
Fig. 3C. Expressed in terms of variables noted in Fig. 3C
the sling lengths can be calculated using the following
formulae:
qp short sling length: L, : a-I H2 + 2Ha(sinî)
L :
I
long sling length: a2+H + 2Ha(sin?)
Dimension É1 is commonly selected as approximately 1.2
times the a dimension.
a _n_
1.t.,
L!
A a
o
ÞULL
1 c
Figure 3
149
 Occasionally non-syrnmetrical lifting beams are required able at the plate edge. The diameter of the shackle flange
to hoist objects which are of peculiar shape or have odd influences the minimum distance of the pin hole from the
weight distribution. Figure 3D shows such an arrangement. face of the lifting beam. In Fig. 98 the minimurn dimension
Signifìcant torsion loads are rare in lifting beams. If it is X is the sum of the flange radius and the weld size plus a
surmised that torsion stresses must be addressed, the Iifting small allowance for clearance and fabrication variances.
beam can be stren_qthened by adding a plate at each end of There is no reason to make dimension X overìy large except
the wideflange section as in Fig. l4A or by adding side plates in cases where it is desired to increase the effective length
to box the section as in Fig. l4B. The AISC publica¡ion, Tor- of the lug plate weld. An excessive X dimension needlessly
sion Analysis of Steel Members,3 will be of value in torsion increases the Z dimension, shown in Fig. 13, wh.ich rnay
investigations. diminish the capacity of the liftin-e beam. Note that for cer-
A lifting beam can also be used as a "strong back" to pro- tain cable locations the moment in the lifting beam is
vide multiple lifting points on a relatively flexible object (See increased by the amount of H x Z as, for example, in
Fig. 44.) Some lifting beams are made with a bottom lug Fig. l3C.
aligned directly below the top lug so that, ifthe need arises. The diameters and lengths of of chokers and slings should,
an occasional straight pick can be made without the incon- of course, be compatible with the capacities and geometry
venience of having to remove the lifting beam. (See Fig. aB.) of the lifting beam. Refer to Fig. 28. The angle should prefer-
This is but a small sample of lifting beam possibilities and ably be between 45 " and 90' with 60" being a common fig-
their applications. ure. An angle less than 45'usually requires excessively long
Other elements commonly associated with lifting beams slings and an angle greater than 90o results in needlessly high
are hooks, shackles, chokers, and slings. Shackles are used sling loads.
to connect the lines to the lifting beams. Shackles come in The lug plate with its pin hole is an important component
various patterns and capacities and typical examples are ol the lifting beam assembly. Tests have indicated that the
shown in Figs" 5 and 6. The loads shown in these tables rep- ratio of pin diameter to hole diameter has little influence
resent average industry loads and are for comparison pur- on the ultimate strength of the lug material . rr In the
poses on-ly. The capacities of specifrc rigging components unlikely event that the pin completely fills the hole in the
must be verified by the user. Chokers are often used to wrap
around the object to be lifted and are usually fastened to the
underside of the lifting beam by means of shackles. Slin_es
L
are used to suspend the lifting beam from the main hook.
See Figs. 7 and 8 for various choker and sling sizes.
Hook are rarely attached directly to a lifting beam because
the hole required in the lu-e plate would need to be exces- SCRE w PrN To LT ROUND PIN
siveiy large (or oblong) and the required edge distance on
the lifting lug would be too great to accommodate the hook
profile. However, hooks are often used with shackles or Pr ñ ôor.5r)€.
woR XrñG L vlz D,AM otr'-!a /latC Ai
oblong rings. Hook with safety latches which prevent the :OAD
(-Þwt) (," ) ('4 ) I i¡ ' ò,av /,ñ) (rb<)
shackles or lines from escaping the throat of the hook are
recommended.
al, '¿'b
^2 .I
l-b t>lr
tl6
?
tt
The shack.le properties most signifìcan( to this discussion c2 2t.
J+ tt'r.
tb l-,¿. rb a2
-b
<4
J.L

are: load capacity. diameter of pin (or bolt), inside width t2 ¿'i, to,
2 3'+ I
of jaws. length of shackle, diameter of flange. (See Fig. 94.)
t'l -l
/4 ¿3 Jb, t5^ al
,Ò t-t .
The width of jaw limits the thickness of the lug plate. The > t )

length of shackle controls the maximum edge distance avail- 2i ': ¿?. ia =
r¡ tr'4
5r. 44'
(c tô'2 +b L'a G IÒI
z .\ E', 3¿ /.2 lll
* 5r.o^, Din
¿no oô! îùæ ô^ u
** 5at: lVp- on/,
N2TE: Proof loao ts 2.2 l,mzs 9oi¿ ¡tto, <,ng /oao'
/'r,.,¡¡um ulf,aa¡e Jfrenaltt 'S 2 r'àe s /'.e saie
t_ a uro.<t^î load.

Figure 4. Fig. 5. Forged anchor shackles

150 ENGINEERING JOURNAL/AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

lug plate, the plate must be checked for bearing capacity'
The diameter of the hole in the lifting lug should be at least
fiu in. greater than the largest pin (or bolt) diameter which
is anticipated. However. it is not necessary to have the pin
trt snuglv in the hole. ln fact. the pins aie apt to be rough
cast and not pertèctly round. More often than not' the Pin
may be considerabìy smaller than the hole. Pins as small
as one half the hole diameter are not rare.
Tests"''2 have confirmed that there are four potentiaÌ tail-
ure modes for a lug plate:
I . Tension lailure at the sides of the hole as indicated in Fig.
l0A.
2. Crushing above the pin foltowed by tearing tension frac-
ture at the plate edge as shown in Fig. l0B.
3. Shear failure in the lug plate as the pin attempts to plow
its way toward the free edge of the plate.
4. Dishing (out-of-plane buckling) failure of relatively thin
lug plates which are laterally unrestrained.
Refemng to Fig. l0A. the ultimate tensile load
found from the following formula:
P' :2at4,
where
a is the least plate width at side of hole (in')
f is the plate thickness (in.)
is the ultimate tensile strength (ksi).
{
Since P, is a theoretical failure load. an appropriate tac-
tor ol salety musr be applied. A lactor oi satèty ol live is
common in such a case. Allowable P : O.2P".
Some guidelines tbr lqg plate geometry are necessary f or
good pertbrmance. It is suggested that dimension a equal
or exceed the larger of one-half the hole diameter or twice
rhe plate thickness. Fclr calculation purposes a should not
exceed fbur times the plate thick¡ess at the pin hole (Rel'
l. pg. 5-+l). The minimum ¿ dimension as shown in Figs'
l0A and l0B should equal or exceed 0.67 times the hole
diameter. Calculation ol the ¿ dimension is explained later'
Referring to Fig. l0B the plate must be checked fbr crush-
ing due to bearing above the pin. As mav be imagined' the
intensity of bearing is not uni[orm in this area- Local yield-
fl' can be ing and enlargement of the bearing contact area ls antlcl-
Two Leg Bridle Slings
single rope legs, oblong link
eyehoist hooks

I-¡ o56 22
l-6 2t l¡ l2
2-O l6 ll 22 :6
2-. 19 l¡ I 26
a-9 29

l-l lt 93 lt
I ¡-6 l5 t2 05 t2
t8 l1 lo ¡l
SCREW PIN ÞÔLT ROUND PIN 22 t6 t3 l.
tt
1-O 2l 22 l1

t-6 )2 26 t6 ¡6
la ¿t
z 3-0 5! t2 ¡
8-9 69 56

EA FE ptñ ÔUT S ID E.

y/oRKrNG L Þ,AM aç eYe I WEI6HÍ

LôA Þ
('n I in.l DrAM. ('ô) ¿ rus)
fás ( i..) )

5'4 z ll" ! 1+ tia t.9

AL Jr¿ tTu i t'^ za Í/ Two Leg Basket Slings

t2 3'7n 2 3 lo.8 two rope legs and oblong link

t'l 4'?a c3^

Lð t2 tgÕ
29 ¿B
^f 2 47o i 3t4 tL
J' z1
ro4 2h 5 45c l
6
t?

I 83 3
2l t8 2

85': 8, 5 3, 6r_ | )q I 29
l6
l6
2l
2^
5l
6l t2
>\ $¿re-a þ,n and bot( fqPz o"/1 ' 85
2 IO
ËrÉ Botl t4pe- on 1,7
NoT€: Praof load ts 2.2 Ttàqs 1a{e u'.ta'kìng /"ad
M,nimuryt ult,r¡ale s/-nqfl, ts ô l')e s th¿ safe
wor k 'rtg l"od '
Fig. 6. Forged chain shackles. Figure 7.

'151
FOURTH QUARTER/1991
 pated as the load increases. The allowable bearing stress
$ I is lug plate thickness (in.)
should equal 0.9^Ç ki. (Do not use an allowable bearing ¿ is distance from edge of hole to edge of plate paraJlel
stress equal to l.zEt as this value requires the clamping to the load direction (in.)
action of a bolt or rivet which is not present in a shackie d is the diameter of the hole (in.)
and pin arangement.) If a lug plate proves to be deficient
As stated previously, regardless of its calculated value, ¿
in bearing strength, washer plates can be welded around the
hole to increase the thick¡ess. (See Fig. ll.) should never be made less than 0.67d. In order ro prevenr
the line or shackle from fouling the square corner of the lug
When the pin hts snug in the hole the allowable crushing
plate, the corner may be cut on a diagonal as shown in
load P, : 0.9R.td where ^Ç is the yield strengrh (ksi), I is
the lug plate thickness (in.), and d is the hole diameter (in.).
Fig. ll or it may be rounded. Regardless of how rhe corner
is treated the same rules lor determining e will also apply
If the pin is less than a snug frt the lug plate must be
designed to prevent tearing tension failure at the plate edge
at the cut area.
The third failure mode is shear whereby the pin may push
as shown in Fig. l0B. Tea¡-out results when the pin attemprs
out a block of steel as it attempts ro plow through the edge
to plow through the plate edge, often resulting in a bulge
of the lug plate. The approximate allowable shear load
whose outer edge is in severe local tension. The dimension
¿ must be adequate to prevent tear-out but small enough so n : 2(0.4 e1

it will accommodale the shackle length. The following pro- where

cedure is suggested: Assume that a block of sreel 0.8d in
length, e in height, and with a thickness the same as rhe lug { is yield stress of lug plare (ksi)
plate performs as a fixed-end beam. Refer to Fig. l58. The
¿ is the distance from edge of hole ro edge of plare paral-
allowable load is caìculated using the following formula (as lel to load (in.)
derived in Fig. l5B):
¡ is thick¡ess of lug plate (in.)
This will give conservative results. A more.refrned treatment
l'67Ete2
Allowable , - of this topic is given by Tolbert and Hacketr.12
d The fourth failure mode, dishing, is conveniently prevented
by establishing a minimum thickness limit. It is suggested
Requiredminimum r:nE that plate thick¡ess be not less than 0.25 x hole diameter
\ t.67fit but never less than |á in. This recommendation does not
where apply to the webs of W S, and C sections which benefir
from the stiffening effects of the neighboring flanges. (See
P is allowable load (kips) Ref. ll for more on dishing.)
.S is allowable bending stress of lug (ksi) The top lifting lug may be a short plare as shown in

ÉE $/iü'ú!b{op¿ l€qs

Single+ope legs

Ç Sfrp wih singlrrop lep and tuckd splice lmp

¡l@Eq

or s'..14, I
úq wiü snglerry legs
FqtYiN

4l /-

l:
lt
Figure 8.

152 ENGINEEHING JOUFìNAL / AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Figs. lA, lB, and lD or it may be continuous as shown in
Fig. lC. It may be hllet or groove welded. Since lifting beams
are often used and stored outdoors, it is recommended that
welds be made water tight to prevent hidden corrosion. Ttip
lugs may be subject to straight pulls as shown in Fig. lA or
oblique pulls as shown in Figs. lB. IC, and lD. They must
be oriented so that the plate will not be bent sideways when
loaded. (See Fig. l5A.) The weld should be sized to account
for any eccentricities which may result from various angles
of pull. The thick¡ess of the lug shouid be such that it will
accommodate the 'Jaw" opening of the shackle. This usually
results in a lug thickness of approximately I to 2 inches. It
is not necessary that the lug plate fit snugly in the jaw open-
ing. However, a gross mismatch may cause the lifting beam
to hang slightly out-of-vertical which may result in undesira-
ble torsion stresses. A suggested rule of thumb is lug thick-
ness should be no less than one-half the jaw opening width.
Bottom lugs are treated much the same as top lugs except
that they are apt to be continuous plates as shown in Fig. tB
in order to be morê versatile. Since most of the bottom lug
loads hang vertically or nearly so, the weld is sized as shown
in Fig. 12. The effective length of weld is that subtended
by an angle of 120" immediately above the load. This recog-
nizes the contribution of the bending strength of the adja-
cent lug plate areas. This is shown a-s distance 3.4¿. This rule
can be used with very little error even if the pull is not abso-
lutely vertical.
shackla flo¿1¿
A b
Figure 9.
a-
Lug platø
be.o-r>t
Figure l0A.
FOURTH QUAHTEH/1991
ìVhen a thick lug is welded to a beam with a relatively
thin web, the beam web should be checked for tension in
the immediate vicinity of the lug plate.
In designing a lifting beam the maximum desired lifting
capacity must be established and also the governing geome-
try, that is. the maximum length and the spacing oi the top
and bottom lugs. Any beam depth limitations should be con-
sidered. The Iine angle should be established (angle á in
Fig. 28. for example). If the pull angle is subject to fluctua-
tion the maximum and minimum governing cases should be
identified. It must be decided whether to use a beam with
a constant or a varying cross section. Constant section beams
are most coÌnmon. Since dead weight is sometimes a factor.
it may be desirable to use high slrength steel. Lifting beam
deflection is hardly ever a governing factor. Column sections'
that is wide-flange shapes that are approximately as wide
as they are deep, are popular for lifting beams because they
generally have longer L. and L, lengths permitting the use
of allowable bending stresses of 0.66d or 0-60{ rather than
a reduced value. For reduced bending stresses refer to AISC
Spec. Sect. Fl.l and F1.3.r The unsupported length of a lift-
ing beam is the length between the outermost lifting holes.
In establishing the lifting capaciry of a lifting beam, several
factors must be considered in addition to the static weight
of the objects to be lifted. The estimated weight of lifting
beam, shackles, and lines must be included. In addition, the
effects of impact, acceleration, deceleration, wear, deterio-
ration, and abuse must be considered. These are often diffi-
cult to predict. An effective way to account for these
unknowns is to apply an additiona.l factor of safery to the
static load. If the normal allowable stresses are reduced by
e
Lug plote
be.arn
Figure l0B.
cot 'l naca¡so.t û
ae¿^^oaa ¡c'
t^ac.t. b^4h
ö ¿ø ;Í ry@..?
Figure ll.
153
 a factor of 1.8, the resulting maximum working bending sness
in the lifting beam will be about a fifth of the minimum ulti-
mate bending strength of the steel"
4: 0.64 : 21.6 ksi
factored 4 :21'e : 12 ksi
1.8
for 436 steel fi/{ : ! : O.r,
58\
This is in line with other components of the lifting assem-
bly such as the shackles, lines, and hook, which are usuaJly
load rated for Yo, Ys, or /u of their ultimate capaciry. (Note
that the shackles shown in Figs. 5 and 6 have an ultimate
strength six times thei¡ safe working load.)
ANSI/ASME Standard 830.20e requires that lifting
beams be designed using a minimum design factor oí 3 based
on yield strength, for load bearing structural components.
This establishes maximum allowable stresses in the mate-
rial. Using their criteria the mai.imum rf, for 436 marerial
is 3613 = 12 ksi, and for 4572 GR.50 marerial E : 5013
: 16J ksi. (ANSI Standard N45.6r0 defines the require-
ments for lifting devices for use in nuclear work.)
Regardless of how the lifting capacity is established, the
next step is to calculate the forces that act on the beam. Using
the maximum bending moment, a target section modulus for
the lifting beam can be calculated which can be conflrmed
or adjusted later on. A trial and error method must be used
to arrive at the required section size.
Quite often it is desired to modify the existing lifting beams
by adding reinforcing or changing the lifting lugs. If weld-
ing is required, it is recommended that low hydrogen elec-
trodes be used in case the beams are made of high strength
steel. If a lifting beam becomes bent or twisted for any rea-
son, it should immediately be taken out of service.
Lifting beams and associated lines and equipment should
be inspected before and after use. ANSI/ASME Standard
i.1 a
ù Plate
þ'
+
-þ
P
Requ'rcd øald stenjlh- P - P KI
z(t-+ a) 6.8 a /tft
Figure 12.
154
830.30e requires scheduled inspections and this is sound
advice. This same standard also requires rated load tests of
Iifting beam assemblies prior to initial use, or after being
altered, modified, or repaired. OSHA Specifìcations
1926.251.(a)(4) requires that a lifting beam be tes¡edto 125%
of its rated capacity prior to service use. Guidelines for
inspection and testing are given in the referenced standards
and readers are advised to acquaint themseÌves in this regard.
Lifting beam investigations involve either anaJysis or design.
The lollowing is a typicaì design procedure:
Assume that the desired lifting beam geometry is as
depicted in Fig. 13. that there are no depth restrictions, and
the beam will never be used in an inverted position.
'l'. Assume a dead weight for the lifting assembly includ-
ing shackles, lines, and beams.
2. Establish the geometry of the beam:
r a. Length.
b. The quandry and location of the top and bottom lift-
ing Iu_es.
3. Using an appropriate safety factor, multiply the entire
weight to be lifted. including dead weight, by the fac-
tor of safety. This establishes the design load. In allow-
able stress design it is difficult to establish a base for
an overall factor of safety because some allowable
stresses are based on ultimate stresses and some on yield
stresses and the relationship ofthese stresses is not uni-
form as we change steel types. For ASTM 436 steel
based on a bending stress, a facior of 1.8 multiplied by
the actual weight wil.l produce a factored design weight
whjch can be used in subsequent design calculations.
The resulting factor of safety is approximately 5.
4. Calculate the forces for the governing factored design
load conditions. (Maximum bending forces âre apt to
exist when the beam is used in an inverled position
However, as sta¡ed above, in this exercise the beam will
not be inverted.) Draw the force dia-srams (Figs. l3B
and 13C).
c,u'ø , a,- P(Ç)
ctse'C, nr. f
&om
P(+r -
,l-- ' a
+
2a.l
"-4
ê
.-'.]' , --1,:" J'
læ
- :cnt
B
Figure ß.
ENGINEERING JOURNAL/ AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
5. Select the rype of material to be used for the lifting
beam, 436, 4572-GR.50, and 4588 are common
choices.
6. Select a trial section.
7. Calculate the exact section proPerties. Include continu-
ous lug plates, if appticable. If plates are included' make
sure they comply with requirements lor compact sec-
tions. (AISC Specification Section 85.2r)
8. Check for beam shear caPacitY'
9. Check for beam bending caPacitY:
a. L, and L, Iimits must be reviewed.
b. Make a bending stress reduction check, if necessary'
c. Establish the a.llowance of rÇ. (AISC Specification
Sect. Flr)
d. Check beam in its inverted position if applicable'
10. V/hen torsion is a problem:
a. Identify possible causes of torsion:
l. Bent lugs.
2.
Shackle binding.
b. Consider adding end plates or side plates.
c. Consider adding stiffeners.
d. Consider using box shaped sections.
It. Select shackle sizes based on maximum line loads'
12. Design top lugs:
a. The pin size is determined by shackle selected'
b. Select a hole size based on this pin size or perhaps
a larger anticipated pin size (for future use).
c. Use critical angle of force and establish a trial shape'
d. Design weld for top lug. (One should check for a
straight pull as well as an angular pull.)
e. Check full sized pin bearing capacity using a trial
plate thickness.
l.Check for tension failure at sides of hole-
g. Check for tear-out, should a smaller pin be used'
h. Check shear capacity at the lug hole'
i . Check lor compliance with dishing failure crìteria'
13. Design bottom lugs or continuous plate following a simi-
lar procedure as lor the toP lug.
14. Calculate the weight of the beam assembly including
lugs, shackles, slings, and chokers. Compare the actual
weight with the assumed weight and adjust forces, if
requi red.
If it is necessary to determine the capaciry of an existing
lifting beam of unknown potential, an analysis can be made
using the following procedure:
l. Measure the beams, lugs. lug locations. pin hole
diameter and location, and weld size and extent'
2. Establish the beam properties and type of steel'
3. Identily the critical governing geometric conditions'
4. Calculate force diagram.
5. Calculate shear capacity ol the beam.
6. Calculate moment capaciry of the beam.
7. Caìculate lug plate weld capacities.
8. Calculate bearing capacity of lug plates'
9. Calculate tear-out capaciry of lug plates'
10. Calculate shear capacity of lug plates.
I l. Estabiish maximum shackle size and capaciry which
pin
hole diameter and location will accommodate'
12. Catculate weight of beam assembly, including shackles'
lines. etc.
13. Select the added factor of safety, usually about l'8'
14. Identify the governing load lrom the previous calcula-
tions and apply the factor of safety. This will produce
a factored load capaciry.
Example:
Caiculated load caPacitY = 2l kiP
Factor of safery : 1.3
Weight of lifting beam. shackles, and lines : 2 kip
Råted load : 2lll.8 - 2 : 9-61 or 4'8 tons
After the beam has been assembled and welded, it is
usually cleaned and given a coat (or coats) ol rust-inhibitive
paint. The color should be a light hue and one which con-
trasts sharply with the primer colors normally used by the
fabricator. White. yellow, buff' and pale blue are popular
colors. The lifting capacity of the beam in tons should be
clearly stenciled on both sides of the beam in block num-
bers and letters at least 5 in. in height. If the lifting beam
must be used in the upright position on.ly, the top of the beam
must be stenciled: USE THIS SIDE UP ONLY' Very often
Ë I

ltc
i-)

a a
'.-jt:,.2'r_^^
A
Y\*
p¿wea b
æ rxrs !
ñl' o4
'"t
\' úy ñ.. /tvl ú L4 c
<- à!'. t3' /,:', ¿. Á ¿,-"dta.
ù'+& ú'ad"
êtô.i¿t F't.L
'-.-T..-¿_
p- LII-Llj
A ò ¿

Figure 14.
Figure 15.

155
FOURTH QUARTER/1991
 the fabricator or erector will want to stencil the company 3. Select an additiona-l factor of safety and apply it to the
name on the lifting beam for advertising and identification assumed lifted weight.
purposes. AJthough stenciling in paint is the most common
means of marking, a more positive method consists of bead
Design load : 16(1.8) : 28.8 kips

welding the messages onto the beam. Welded figures will
endure even if the beam is repainted at a future time.
Equally as important as the strength of the lifting beam
is the strength of the other components used in conjunction
with the beam. These are the lines, chokers, hooks, and
shackles. OnJy a knowledgeable experienced rigger should
be en¡rusted with the selection of these other items.
There are several tyþes and grades of wire rope in com-
mon use today. Chains can also be used. A rule of thumb
for the strength of wire rope is as follows:?
: maximum moment is 7.5(144) : 108 kip-ft- For the case
Safe working load (diameter)2 x 8
'Where
safe working load is expressed in tons and diameter
of wire rope in inches. Readers are advised to verify the
strength of the specific materials and equipment they intend
to use.
Example: For 0.5-in. diameter wire rope the safe work-
ing load equals (0.5)2 x 8 : 2 tons. (This is
based on a factor of safery of about 5.)
CataJogues ofmanufacturers and supply houses are excel-
lent sources of information on riging equipment as are rig-
gers handbooks. References 4 through 8 are good examples.
EXAMPLE
Given:
A concrete contractor must hoist precast concrete panels
which weigh up to 8 toÌrs and which vary in length from 6
to 32 feet.
Required:
Design an appropriate lifting beam.
Procedure:
(At this stage, do not fuss over the fact that some of the
lines, lugs, and shackles are above the lifting beam.)
4. Two governing cases will be investigated. Figure l3B
shows the loads at the extreme end of the lifting beam
and Fig. l3C depicts the load concentrated at the beam
center line. The moment diagram for each condition is
shown. For arithmerical e¿se, the lifted weight is equated
to 2P Hence P : 28.812 : 14.4 kips. (For the sake of
simplifying the freebody diagrams, the beam is now
assumed to be weightless.) For the case in Fig. l3B, the
in Fig. l3C, the maximum moment is 108 kipft + Z(H).
H is equal to P when d is 90', which is the maximum
which should be permitted by good practice. At this
stage Z is estimated to be I0 in. giving a moment of
108 0.83(14.4) : 120 kip-ft.
+
5. It is decided to use A36 steel.
6. From the tables on page 2-l7l of the AISC 9th Edition,
Manual of Steel Construction, investigate the two cases
at hand:
M : 108 kip-ft with length = 30 ft
M : 120 kip-ft with length : 15 ft
It should be pointed out that the continuous bottom
plate is part of a compound section and this should be
considered when the trial sections are selected.
For the first case the table indicates a beam in excess
of Wl8x65 and for the other case a W14x48.
Obviously, the hrst case governs. Try a Wl8x65 with
a continuous 6xl plate.
7. Calculate centroid location and section modulus:
Piece Area d Ad
wl8x65 r9.l 9. l8 1'75

1. The panel weight to be lifted by the beam equals the Plate 6xl 6 21.35 t28
q.tt
maximum precast panel weight of 6 tons plus an esti- L:25.1 I:303
mated additional 2 tons for dunnage and chokers. The
total is 8 tons (16 kips), including the weight of the lift- Ad 303
ing beam. d::
2 The extreme lifting poins must be 30 feet apan ro march A 25.1

lifting inserts on the longest concrete panels. Two top

lifting lugs are selected at 15 feet apart so that maxi- Piece A x Ai Io L,I
mum positive moment and maximum negative moment wt8 r9. r 2.9 l6l 1070 t23t
are more or less equal. AIso, the 15 foot distance will Plate 6 9.28 5t1 5t1
permit the use of normal length slings. (The derivation
I: 1748 in.{
of length a is shown in Fig. 13.)
It is decided to use a continuous plate on the bottom
of the lifting beam with holes at l-ft Gin. cenrers in order
c:9.28+3:12.28in.
to provide the necessary versatiiity required by the var- u -:j-l:
S: a t748
: I42in.3
ious panel sizes. =
c 12.28

156 ENGINEERING JOURNAL / AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTHU TION

8. Check beam shear capaciry:
.fr : M4i
"' : :: : 0.9 kip/in.
A.llowable V : 0.48, (A) : 0.4(36)(18.35 x 0.45 + s. 48

60)) = 205 kip. t4.4

Since 205 kip exceeds the actual shear ol l4'4 krp, the
Jt=l=o6kiP/in'
member is OK in this regard. (Shear is hardly ever crit-
ical in lifting beams.) l" = f, + Iz = 0.9 + 0.6 = 1.5 krp/in.
flu-in. hllet weld - 4.6 kip/in. > 1.5 OK
9. Check for beam bending capacity:
In order to keep the weather out, use an all around
20000 20.000
Lc::::::_: --'--- :t72 < 12(30) (A]SC Spec. Fl.l) weld. The hole is made lVz in. dia. to accePt the l%
d/ArE) 3.22(36) in. dia. pin. The corner of the plate is lopped off to
accommodate the inside length of the shackle minus the
therefore a reduced { must be calculated (AISC for-
line diameter.
mula Fl-8 governs).
Min.a : 0.5(d) : - 0.75 OK
0.5(1.5) : 0.75 in. < 3
t2,00aAr _ 12.000(7.59)(.75)
R_ : 10.34 ksi
Min. e :0.67(d):0.67(1.5) : 1.0 in. < 2-25 OK
tb----
td 30(12x18.35)

Allowable M : 65 : 103a042) = 1468 kip-in. : Check fbr dishing:

122 kip-ft > 108 OK Min. ¡ : 0.25(d) : 0.J75 in. < 1.25 OK
10. Torsion is not a problem in this exampìe, as stated Check for tension tearing at sides of hole:
previously. :
Ultimate Load P, :zatl, :2(2.25)(1.25)58 326ktp
I l. Select shackle size for upper slings:
Apply lactor of safery of 5.
From Fig. l3C the maximum line load is 14.4 x l4l4
: 20.4 kip when angle d is at the 90' timit. Design P : 32615 : 65 kip > 15 OK
A 12-ton shackle is selected (see Fig. 5). The jaw Check for lug tearout:
width is 2Vt in. , pin diameter is l% in. , flange diameter
is 3 in., and inside length is 4t/ru in. Select shackle size ^ t.67fiê
Ailowablep:__î:,
t.61(24)(1.2s)(3-0.75):
for lower siings: referring to Fig. l3B the load is 14.4 ts
kip and a 872-ton shackle would be in order. For Fig. : 169 kip > 20.4 OK
l3C the load is 28.8 kip and a l7-ton shack.le will suffice.
13. Design of bottom lugs:
12. Design top lug: Instead of individual lugs. it was decided previously
A trial lug plate thickness of l7¿ in. is chosen to be to use a continuous plate with holes at I ft 0 in. on cen-
compatible with the l2-ton shackle. A tnal size is shown ter. The assumed thick¡ess of I in. easily accommodates
in Fig. 164 with the dimensions picked to accommo- the jaws of the 8 /z-ton shackle. The holes will be made
date the l2-ton shackle. The work line of the diagonal iyr-in. dia. to accept the l/6-in. dia. pin or a larger pin.
load is made to intersect the center of the weld when if desired. (If it is anticipated that the beam will be used
the load is at its maximum practical angle of 45 ". At as in Fig.48, the center hole should be made 17¿-in.
this angle the load is 20.4 kip. dia. to accept the lsl-in. dia. pin of the lfton shack.le.)

Required weld : 4! :0.85 kip/in.

2(r2)
R tL,6. r:o- t4 4'
-ît
To meet AISC Specitrcation Table J2.-1. a minimum
size hllet weld of 16 in. is required. )l

Check the weld requirements for a vertical pull of 14.4

kip,
Using the Line Method (Omer Blodgen. Design of
Wetded Structures, pages 7.4-6r).

¿z A

s-:-:1:48in' 122 R r^¿

M: 3(t4.4) : 43 kip-in. Figure 16"

FOURTH OUARTER/1991 157

 From Fig. 12 it can be seen the effective length of ever, such refinement is usually not pursued in view of
weld : 3.4(3) : 10.2 in. the variery of assumptions already incorporated into the
design procedure.
144
Required weld size = - :
2(r0.2)
0.71 kjP/in.

R.EFERENCES
The thickness of material dictates a minimum hllet
weld of t/,u in. - 4.6 kip/in. > 0.71 OK
l. AISC, Manua! of Steel Construction 9th Edition. AISC'
Chicago, IL
Do not be tempteii to use an intermittent weld. For
2. Omer Blodgett. "Design of Welded Structures." The
weather protection and fatigue considerations use con-
James F Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation, Cìeveland,
tinuous welds. By inspection it is seen that tear-out is
OH
not critical. If a continuous plate is to be considered as
a compression pan of a compound section, its width to
3 AISC. "Torsional Analysis of Steel Members" 1983,
AISC. Chicago, IL
thickness .at;o wh should not exceed 65/f or it will
not qualify for compact section status.
4 The Crosby Group lnc. , 198'7 Catalogue, P.O. Box
3128. Tulsa. 0K 74101-3128
14 Caìculate exact weight of the assembly: 5. East Shore Wire Rope & Rigging Inc. Cataìogue, 24
Beam 3l x 65 201 Reynolds Avenue. Branford, CT 06405
"Handbook for Riggers. " by W.G. Newberry, revised
-5

tb 6
Plate 3t x 20.4 : 632 rb edition 1971 . Calgary. Alberta, Canada
Two top lugs 2x25.5: 5r lb 7 "The Metal Trades Handbook," Ronald G. Garby and
Two l2-T shackles 2x9.24: r8 tb Bruce J- Ashton. 1985, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Two 872-T shackles 2x4.63: 9lb 8 Campbell Chain Slin-es Catalogue H55342. Cooper
50 ft of wire rope * Tools, P.O. Box 728, Apex, NC 27502
loops, thimbles. hook, etc 400 rb 9 ANSI/ASME Standard 830.20-The American Society
of Mechanical Engineers , 345 E- 47th Street. New
Total 3125 lb
York. NY 10017-1985
This is well within the original estimate of two tons l0 ANSI/ASME Standard N45.6-The American Society
so further refinement is unnecessary. of Mechanical Engineers. 345 E. 47th Street, New
A review of this design example identifies the bend- York. NY 10017-1985
ing moment as the governing criteria. The section fur- I l. ASCE Transactions, "Pin-Connected Plate Links," by
nishel supplied a moment capaciry when used at the 30-ft Bruce G. Johnston, March 1938
length of 122 ktyft. which exceeds the required 108 kip- 12. AISC Engineering Journal, "Experimental lnvestiga-
ft. Consequently, the rated capacity of the beam could tion of Lug Stresses and Failures," 2nd quarter l9'74,
be increased slighdy over the 8-ton requirement. How- R.N Tolbert and R.M. Hackett

!ì

158 ENGINEERING JOURNAL/AMEHICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION