A systematic approach to the selection of an appropriate crane for a construction site

Research into the consequential cost implications of design decisions (Gray, 1983) has highlighted the central role that the primary lifting device (predominantly cranes) has on the control and pace of construction operations. In attempting t o evaluate cost effective design options the design team must, therejbre, appreciate the full effect of the crane choice inherent in each design option. The expertise and knowledge of the criteria used t o select the most appropriate cranage is held by a few experienced people either in specialist crane hirers or in contractors' plant operations. This paper describes one way in which this expert knowledge can be made available during the early design process t o enable the designer t o incorporate the construction implications in his thinking. However, the subject is complex since there are many thousands of cranes available in the world market place. Nevertheless the process and criteria for selection are definable and the paper describes them. The description has b...