ASPEC has expertise in performing structural inspections, analysis and strengthening of jacking points on stackers, reclaimers and shiploaders to facilitate maintenance activities. This article highlights some design considerations for slew bearing change-out jacking points in accordance with AS4324.1.
Control systems on mobile equipment have advanced greatly in recent years and large SCADA datasets are available to analyse the machine performance. ASPEC has been processing and translating the SCADA data into engineering information, which is then used to carry out machine health checks to validate machine performance as part of asset management reviews.
Innovative strategies were required when presented with a variety of challenges for this large scale building foundation design. These include future proofing the foundation design for changes in design loading, as well as implementing efficient constructability solutions due to the challenging site environment.
The design of modular buildings for process plants involves complex loading scenarios that are not covered by Australian Standards, and requires the use of advanced structural analysis tools and techniques. This is illustrated by the case study of a furnace building discussed in this paper.
Marine fendering systems are necessary to absorb the energy of the moving ship as it berths at the wharf and thus protects the supporting wharf structure from damage. Mooring systems hold the vessel securely at the berth. If a ship undergoes excessive movements on its mooring lines, the fenders are required to prevent damage to both the ship and the wharf.
The International Standard ISO5049.1, for bulk materials handling machines such as stackers, reclaimers, ship loaders and ship unloaders, was used in Australia until 1995. Since then Australia has followed the AS4324.1 standard. There are significant differences between the two standards; this article will explain further.
ASPEC is excited to see the Surf Lakes Full Scale Prototype enter final construction and commissioning phase. ASPEC is very proud to have been involved in this project and look forward to seeing the first waves breaking in Yeppoon in the coming weeks!
In August Aspec Engineering celebrated their 15th Anniversary. Commencing operation in Brisbane, Richard Morgan and Frank Gatto founded ASPEC in 2003. Now 15 years later ASPEC span over 4 offices nationwide with a main focus of Material Handling Systems and Infrastructure for Ports and Mines. Aspec is keen to see what the next 15 years will hold.
Mobile equipment for continuous handling of bulk materials, such as stackers and reclaimers, are designed to the loads (such as dead load E, live load F) and load combinations defined in AS4324.1. The load distributions for the design parameters were generated for a number of mobile machines based on site measurement data, and those load distributions were used to verify the design parameters in the latest AS4324.1.