Analytical Form for Total Static Deflection of the Articulated Boom of the Mobile Elevating Work Platform

Abstract

This paper deals with a method for obtaining an analytical form for total deflection of the articulated boom of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). Analysis was carried out on the example of a three-segment articulated structure where the influences of self-weight and payload were considered. The force reactions in joints were defined in relation to inclination angles, loading and geometrical parameters for each segment local coordinate system. The whole structure was divided into sections with the corresponding geometrical parameters and equations of bending moments. Based on strain energy and Castigliano's second theorem, component displacements of the boom tip were calculated in the global coordinate system XYZ. The Finite element method (FEM) was used for comparison and model validation. The deviations of the analytical model are less than 5% for different boom shapes within the work range.