Construction cranes

[Panic Button]

Why don't they fall over?

[bobjugs12]

Big counterweights at the base of the crane PB

[Panic Button]

Yeah, but look at it.

http://www.mqzy.com/u...ge/443/1218247527.JPG

Surely a strong gust of windshould knock it over easily.

[ChuckFickens]

Though trust me, if you are at the top of one when it picks up a heavy load it sure feels like the thing is going to fall over!

[ChuckFickens]

PB, look at it again, there is nothing substantial to catch the wind.

[Panic Button]

Add together the surface area of all those bits of metal and they add up to quite a lot.

You wouldn't catch me going up one.

[Panic Button]

In the same way as I don't believe jumbo jets can get into the air, I don't believe these can stay upright.

It must be done with smoke and mirrors.

[bobjugs12]

The thing I really hate going in are helicopters. They really shouldn't work!!

[ChuckFickens]

to be honest you wouldn't catch me going up in one again, it scared the bejesus out of me when I did! but glad I did when I had the chance.

anyhow, to catch the wind you need large flat areas, those cranes are made from round tube so they have very little wind resistance (although they still do sway quite a alarming amount in wind!)

if you look at the back of the boom you can see the counter weights hung out the back to balance the load it's lifting and if you look at the bottom you can see an even larger lump of metal that stops it falling over because it keeps the centre of gravity very low on them and Taller ones tend to be anchored to one of the buildings they are working on

[sara3]

Panic, I absolutely agree with you.

but then, I still don't get how emails work ;o)

[ChuckFickens]

LOL, don't get me started Sara :-P

[sara3]

nooooooooooo... I'm off to bed! night night x

[ChuckFickens]

hehe, night :) x

[mibn2cweus]

ballast

http://www.youtube.co...ch?v=mPG3SXIdeXI&NR=1

didn't feel a thing . . .

[DrFilth]

i hope the car drivers had their safety helmets on

[ChuckFickens]

That would certainly wake you up on your morning commute, mib!!!

[sara3]

wow, here's a crane incident!

http://www.youtube.co...ch?v=FdCJzO3w7_M&NR=1

[Rev Sermon]

I work in the construction industry and this is a very serious issue. It is blind faith that keeps these cranes upright. If everybody started doubting then they would come crashing down.

Please everybody say out loud now "I believe in cranes!"

[Panic Button]

Thanks all.

[wildwood]

Someone stopped believing in this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu0t4An-izM