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Wind sensors have a critical role in the wind energy industry.
The same principle can be applied for safety purposes in the construction industry. Historic wind data can be analysed to schedule lifts and other weather-sensitive tasks more efficiently.
Live measurements can be used for short-term decisions, complementing historic data. Wind data is not associated with a revenue stream, but it can help construction firms avoid major costs. If a crane rental company knows what times of year are more likely for high winds at each location, this information can be shared with contractors for more efficient scheduling.
Crane operators and construction managers know they can proceed safely when wind speeds are below 30 mph (13.4 m/s). Wind speeds within the uncertainty range of 30-35 mph were measured 27% of the time. For a typical construction project, this means many days where the decision to pause lifting is not clear.
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Using Wind Data Effectively in Tower Crane Operations
Data from nearby projects, such as crane height and season of the year, will help with data rectification. Average wind data can also be combined with information on turbulence intensity to provide useful information for building decisions.
Crane rental companies can assist their customers by centralising wind data, which can then be used for site-specific forecasting. In other words, crane rental companies are renting out not only their equipment but also their weather data and expertise. With a centralised wind database, crane rental companies can estimate the potential number of winded-off days for a project, based on its location and schedule. This information can be used to identify the best months for lifting when the potential impact of high winds is the lowest.
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Real Life Example: Winded Off Days in February and March, 2019 and 2021
WINDCRANE has provided weather monitoring services for a crane leasing firm in the UK. The company has access to centralised data for their whole crane fleet. New customers can build a profile of the site using historical wind readings from tower cranes in the area.
The following chart shows the number of winded-off days in 2019 and 2020, between January and August:
This graph depicts an example of the typical variations that can be expected from year to year: In 2019, there were three winded-off days in February and nine in March, and in 2020, there were ten winded-off days in February and three in March. A thorough examination of the measured data revealed that winded-off days are most common in late February and early March. Although exact dates cannot be predicted, contractors are aware that high winds are likely at this time of year. Project delays are very likely if a critical lift is scheduled at this time.
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