Why Cranes Collapse

Cranes are the backbone of construction projects. So why do so many of them fall down?

Because they are so pervasive and they do such a dangerous job of lifting massive objects high into the air, occasionally cranes fail. In this video, I want to walk through some of the reasons these failures occur, using historical events as case studies.

Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!

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DISCLAIMER
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This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

SPECIAL THANKS
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This video is sponsored by HelloFresh.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Videoblocks, and AP Images.
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Producer/Writer/Host: Grady Hillhouse
Production Assistant: Wesley Crump

[blueeyechuck]

As a retired crane operator of 37 years I would like to say nicely done. I usually watch videos like this for a couple of minutes and pick them apart with all the miss information, not here. Looks like you did your research. I would say cranes are only become dangerous when they are used outside of the manufactures guidelines or in most cases have incompetent humans involved.

[Mattthewanderer]

My career has included operating cranes as hefty as 240 tons and when this video started I was hoping to maintain the same respect for Grady which he's earned in other videos. Well, I respect him even more now. Every point was correct and explained so a newbie could understand it. This video alone could replace several training videos for new crane operators and make their workplace safer. Thanks Grady.

[Robbya]

Removing the pins definitely sped up the disassembly of that crane...

[Gruncival]

Including the "X people died and Y people were injured" after every example of a fall was very powerful. The near ubiquity of a non-zero casualty rate after each collapse really hammered in how consequential each lesson was. Sobering, dramatic, and respectful.

[Tabley-Kun]

In Germany, we have a meme going on for crane operators:
"Kranplätze müssen verdichtet sein!" which translates to "Crane locations have to be compacted!"

[goodtoshi]

Looking at most cranes I'm always amazed how they DON'T collapse.

[usagi]

After a 10 year career in crane engineering, I know how easy it is to get even basic crane content dangerously wrong. I started this video fully expecting to be ranting afterward. But, you did an incredible job and has me sending this video to our training people. Bravo.

[brianshipman]

I have been a crane Inspector and Test Director for over 15 years. I find that in the early days, cranes were over built do to a lack of knowledge (engineering) and an abundance of labor and material. Today, cranes are engineered right to the edge. The benefit to the crane manufactures is that they can sell a higher capacity crane at the lowest possible expense. The problem this creates, however, is that there is literally no room for error. The slightest miscalculation is now catastrophic were it might have been absorbed by an older crane with an inherently larger safety factor. Additionally, profit of a project is inevitably tied to the speed work can be done and often has an inverse relationship with safety. Methods to "speed up the job" are often implemented at the cost of doing it as safely as possible. The willingness (known or unknown) to cut corners coupled with cranes built to the edge is a recipe for disaster.

[creatorryan]

My father passed away in a crane accident due to negligence and vertical deformation. I appreciate your video bringing more awareness to the preventable danger of cranes

[givrally]

There's a crane right above my apartment. Love how this starts with "Let's walk through some of the biggest crane disasters in history" 😂

[sixsgma]

I am currently an engineer on an industrial site and our policy is all lifts must be approved by the construction manager, all of our lifts have plans as this is a live plant. Some plans like for tandem lifts need to be engineered and sealed. Above 80% capacity we classify as a critical lift.
Plans need to also account for underground piping which can be crushed by the lifting activities.

Prior to a lift we always have a pre-lift meeting to discuss roles and risks.
During a lift, wind readings are broadcasted.

Never go under a load.
Always stay outside the "hospital side" of the crane (The direction it is most likely to tip in).

A 650 ton crawler will be delivered in the new year to stand up some 150ft distillation columns which I look forward to witnessing it in action.

Great video!

[peavynation]

I'm an electrical engineer, but Grady makes civil engineering so interesting it almost makes me want to be a civi... wait, what am I saying?! These are the best civil engineering videos on the planet, with Grady's calm demeanor, clear explanations, and awesome mock-ups being key. A+

[donnamccann]

Grady, I watched many episodes of Modern Marvels over the years, and I always wished someone would do something similar, but more in depth and with more of a science and engineering analysis. This is exactly what your videos do! Thanks for making them.

[SnewpTD]

I won't put 95% of what I learn from these videos into real world applications but I love watching them. Learning something new is always neat.

[iamharjap]

How are you SO concise. I literally have not heard someone talk so precisely where every word is perfectly used with exacting purpose. In fewer words, you speak efficiently. I can see why you are an engineer. Thank you Grady, you rock. Love watching your videos to learn just to learn because you make it so easy and INTERESTING to understand things I never cared to understand.

[TheRealE.B.]

"Bah, engineers always overdesign stuff. She'll hold twice that much, easy."
-Construction Guys

[vrose]

I was a first year student at the law school located at the site of the 2016 crawler crane collapse in Manhattan. Honestly even before it collapsed, we would have to walk underneath the crane to cross the street and it NEVER felt safe, and always gave a bad feeling. When it actually collapsed I sadly wasn’t even surprised. Condolences to all the victims in these accidents, it’s a shame their safety and life and well being wasn’t considered until it was too late. Thank you for an informative video!

[thomaswheeler]

I'm a crane op and most of these crane videos is regurgitated garbage from armchair operators. Not this one. Great video! Will be sharing with other operators and riggers!

[Babbler]

Let me guess: you bought a bunch of construction toys, and then you realized you needed to justified your purchase, so you thought up this series, right?

[DUDA-__-]

There is a memorable german phrase. "Kranplätze müssen verdichtet sein." It roughly translates to "crane places must be compacted".