A Generalized Safety Assessment Method for Bridge Cranes Based on Multi-Modal Information Fusion

Aiming at addressing the weakness of traditional method in safety assessment of bridge cranes, a multi-modal information fusion method was proposed which based on finite element analysis (FEA) - Deformation test (DT) - non-destructive testing (NDT). Firstly, FEA models of the girders and trolley were conducted to obtain the dynamic properties of steel structures. Secondly, DT was adopted to achieve geometric tolerance and stiffness of structures, where the key indicators such as the upward camber, lateral bending of the main beam and the geometric accuracy of the trolley track were measured by total station theodolite. Thirdly, NDT were adopted to locate interior damages which combined ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing. Finally, the multi-modal data integrated FEA, DT and NDT were fused to approach synthetic safety assessment. Through case study of a typical bridge crane, the analysis results verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method, which realized a multi-scale safety assessment from macro to micro. The proposed method could provide a technical reference to safety assessment of similar special equipment.