Terminales Rio de la Plata S.A. Liebherr QC 4, Rail Span Increase and Boom Extension

Several possible modification approaches existed, and the right solution had to be both structurally sound and practical to construct, ideally avoiding extensive modifications to existing components and eliminating the need to lower the entire boom to the ground for extension.

Any modifications also had to be compatible with the crane's current design, and construction review and support would be needed to keep the local contractor on track.

Liftech used finite element analysis, a computational method for modeling how structures respond to load, to evaluate the feasible modification options and identify the most structurally efficient solution. For the boom extension, Liftech identified the optimal insert location with constructability in mind, recognizing that insert installation work had to be performed on site rather than in a controlled fabrication environment. More detailed shell element analysis was applied to complex components such as the boom latch reinforcement. When a site visit revealed that the misalignment between the portal extension and the existing landside leg exceeding specified tolerances, Liftech conducted a rapid structural assessment from its Oakland office, quickly determining whether the deviation could be accepted or required correction to maintain structural integrity.