Tank Lifting Lug Design and Analysis
Dynamic Engineering provides specialist lifting lug design and structural analysis services for existing tanks and equipment. We help clients remove, decommission, relocate, or lift heavy equipment safely and efficiently. Our engineers develop practical lifting solutions that minimise risk and comply with relevant Australian Standards.
One of the biggest challenges when lifting existing equipment is determining its actual weight. In many cases, the original design documentation is incomplete or no longer available. Equipment may also have been modified during years of operation. These modifications often include refractory linings, internal coatings, insulation, replacement components, or accumulated product build-up. Each of these changes can increase the equipment weight well beyond the original design assumptions. As a result, the existing lifting lugs may no longer have sufficient capacity for a safe lift.
To establish an accurate lifting weight, we create a detailed 3D model of the vessel. We model all structural components and assign the correct material properties and densities to each part. This process allows us to calculate an accurate lifting weight rather than relying on estimates or outdated drawings. We then analyse the proposed lifting arrangement and verify the capacity of the lifting lugs, shell, or supporting structure. Where required, we design new lifting lugs or reinforcement to ensure the equipment can be lifted safely. Our designs comply with the relevant Australian Standards, including AS 1418. – refer https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-1418-1-2021.
Project Example
A client needed to remove an existing process vessel from site. However, the client could not confirm the vessel’s actual weight. After commissioning, the vessel had been fitted with an internal refractory lining that significantly increased its mass. The additional weight exceeded the capacity of the original lifting lugs, making the existing lifting arrangement unsuitable.
Our engineers developed a new external lifting lug system specifically for the vessel. We designed the lifting lugs to transfer the lifting forces over a larger surface of the shell. This approach reduced local stresses and improved the structural performance of the tank during lifting. We also completed detailed engineering calculations to verify the design and confirm compliance with applicable Australian Standards. The final solution provided the client with a safe, practical, and cost-effective method for removing the vessel while reducing lifting risks and supporting successful project execution – also refer https://www.dynamicengineering.com.au/industrial/2014/04/18/design-certification/.
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