Challenge:
To design a test procedure to verify that a spreader beam (also designed by HEA) is capable of lifting the over 400-ton weight of the main engine for a new class of ship. The test procedure called for twelve 35-ton water bags to be suspended from the spreader beam to simulate the weight of the main engine. Due to geometrical constraints, the bags needed to be hung in multiple levels, requiring the use of intermediate support frames.
Resolution:
Our engineering team designed a testing configuration that included the use of two intermediate support frames that served to properly distribute the weight of the water bags in an adequate and stable manner while making sure that the water bags did not touch each other. This configuration and the spreader beam itself were recently successfully tested at the shipyard.
