How can the calculation time in KRANBAHN be optimized?

Answer

In the case of long crane runways and many cranes, the large number of load combinations can lead to a long calculation time. The following settings affect the calculation time significantly:

Calculation method for determining the internal forces

Fast calculation (calculation of all load combinations according to the 1st-order analysis, then calculation of the governing load combinations according to second-order analysis for torsional buckling)
Detailed calculation (calculation of all load combinations according to second-order analysis for torsional buckling)

The fast calculation type may therefore be useful for the preliminary design.

Figure 01 - Selection of Calculation Type for Determination of Internal Forces

Maximum target length of the finite elements

The maximum length of the finite elements generated for the calculation according to the second-order analysis for torsional buckling can be entered within a range of 100 mm to 2500 mm. The calculation time can be increased significantly by the finer division of finite elements.

Thus, you should select a reasonable length of the finite elements for an optimized calculation time depending on the structural system. Usually, 8 elements for each girder span are enough to calculate the deformations with a deviation of less than 5% relative to the precise solution.

Figure 02 - Setting Maximum Target Length of Finite Elements

Number of load combinations

You can use a reasonable setting of the load increment to control the number of generated load combinations. When entering the load increment, the generated number of crane load positions and load combinations is already displayed in a preview. A small load increment may result in many load combinations that take accordingly more time in the calculation.

Figure 03 - Increment of Load Positions