201 Crane Planning and Selection

This 201 guide expands the 101 overview in Lifting, Rigging, and Bracing with practical planning workflow for crane class, position, and envelope decisions.

1. Purpose

Use this document to select a candidate crane class and establish first-pass placement assumptions before final stamped lift engineering.

2. Inputs

  • Panel mark list and panel weights

  • Initial panel set line and erection sequence

  • Site access constraints and no-go zones

  • Soil and slab bearing assumptions

  • Preliminary pick radius by panel group

3. Outputs

  • Candidate crane class by erection zone

  • Initial crane lane widths and setup footprints

  • First-pass stationing offsets from panel lines

  • Constraint list requiring engineering confirmation

4. Selection Workflow

  1. Group panels by controlling pick demand (weight and radius).

  2. Estimate required load moment by zone.

  3. Select candidate crane class per zone (RT, AT/truck, crawler).

  4. Place preliminary crane stations and travel lanes.

  5. Flag panels likely requiring alternate stations or tandem lift review (ASME B30.5 §5-3.4 requires a written procedure when two cranes share a load).

5. Planning Envelopes

Document assumed values for:

  • Operating footprint

  • Outrigger or track reaction zone

  • Swing/tail clearance

  • Lane width and turning envelope

  • Setup/setback from slab edges

6. Stationing Method

Use a planning offset method and record assumptions:

$$ O_s = \frac{W_f}{2} + B_s + B_h $$

Where:

  • $O_s$ is crane centerline offset from panel line

  • $W_f$ is crane operating footprint width

  • $B_s$ is swing buffer

  • $B_h$ is handling buffer

7. Required Checks Before Release

  • Lift chart verification at actual boom and radius (ASME B30.5; rated loads must not be exceeded at actual boom angle and working radius)

  • Ground bearing and edge proximity check (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1402; operator must be notified of ground conditions; owner/controlling entity is responsible for adequate site preparation)

  • Conflict check with braces, embeds, and temporary works

  • Sequence check for changing radius over time

8. Capacity and Elevation Screening

Use a panel-by-panel screen so crane class, stationing, and boom configuration are validated against both lift chart capacity and required hook height.

8.1 Panel Capacity Screen

For each panel mark, record:

  • Panel self-weight

  • Rigging and below-the-hook weight

  • Total lifted load (panel + rigging)

  • Planned working radius at pick and at set

  • Planned boom length/angle and configuration

  • Lift chart rated capacity at that exact configuration (ASME B30.5)

  • Capacity margin and controlling condition

Planning check:

$$ W_{total} \le C_{chart}(R, L, \theta, config) $$

Where:

  • $W_{total}$ is total lifted load (panel plus rigging)

  • $C_{chart}$ is rated capacity from the specific manufacturer load chart at working radius $R$, boom length $L$, boom angle $\theta$, and configuration

No generic “max panel weight” should be published in this guide because allowable load is configuration-dependent per ASME B30.5 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.

8.2 Elevation Screen (Single-Story and Multi-Story)

For each erection zone, record:

  • Required hook height at pick and at set

  • Highest panel set elevation in the sequence

  • Required boom tip elevation including rigging headroom

  • Obstruction clearances (temporary steel, braces, adjacent panels)

Single-story and multi-story work use the same governing method: verify required hook height and capacity simultaneously at the actual working radius.

  • Single-story: often controlled by radius and lane geometry

  • Multi-story or stacked erection: often controlled by hook height/headroom and boom geometry

If elevation demand increases radius demand during sequence progression, the controlling condition must be rechecked as a new lift-chart point.

9. Hold Points

Do not finalize crane selection until:

  • Erection sequence is approved

  • Geotechnical assumptions are confirmed

  • Lift engineering confirms controlling picks

10. Standards References

  • ASME B30.5 — Mobile and Locomotive Cranes; governs rated capacities, lift charts, and safe crane operation on construction sites

  • ASME B30.5 §5-3.4 — Tandem lift operations: written procedure required, prepared under direction of a qualified person

  • OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC — Cranes and Derricks in Construction; primary federal regulatory framework for crane operations

  • OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1402 — Ground conditions; operator must be notified of bearing capacity; owner/controlling entity is responsible for site preparation adequacy

  • ACI 551.1R §6 — Lift operation planning, pick geometry, and crane radius context for tilt-up erection

11. TODO Project Fill-In

  • Add project-specific crane candidates and vendor data

  • Add panel-group radius table

  • Add zone-by-zone station map