GB/T 37605-2019 Wind-Resistant Anti-Slip Devices for Cranes
GB/T 37605-2019 "Cranes — Wind-Resistant Anti-Slip Devices" is the dedicated standard for outdoor crane wind safety. It defines the classification, technical requirements, performance parameters, test methods, and inspection rules for wind-resistant anti-slip devices, and is applicable to lifting appliances operating outdoors — including bridge cranes, gantry cranes, portal cranes, and unloading bridges — that must resist wind-induced sliding.
GB/T 37605-2019 is the dedicated standard for wind-resistant anti-slip devices on outdoor cranes, specifying the classification, technical requirements, and test methods for rail clamps, anchor devices, and windproof cables. Wind safety is a critical, non-negotiable requirement for outdoor cranes — especially in coastal typhoon-prone regions.
Classification of Wind-Protection and Anti-Slip Devices
GB/T 37605-2019 classifies crane wind-resistant anti-slip devices into three main categories: Rail clamps — which generate friction by clamping the rail head with grippers to resist wind load. As the most widely used wind protection device, they suit all types of rail-mounted outdoor cranes. Rail clamps are further divided by drive mode into manual rail clamps (human-operated, simple structure, low cost — ideal for small to medium gantry cranes) and electric (hydraulic) rail clamps (electric or hydraulic actuation with remote and automatic control — suited to large portal cranes and unloading bridges).
Anchor devices — which secure the crane to the ground or rail foundation via anchor pins or tie bars. Their anchoring force far exceeds that of rail clamps, but they can only lock the crane at designated working positions (not at arbitrary points along the rail). They are intended for emergency anchoring during typhoon warnings. Windproof cables — steel wire rope tie-downs installed on both sides of the crane, tensioned to connect the crane to ground anchor points. These are suited to large portal cranes and ship-to-shore (STS) cranes. The standard requires outdoor cranes to be equipped with at least two different types of wind-resistant anti-slip devices as backups for each other — if one device fails, the other must still provide reliable wind protection.
Wind Resistance Requirements
The standard specifies wind resistance requirements separately for working and non-working conditions: Working condition — the wind-resistant anti-slip devices must prevent sliding under wind loads up to 20 m/s (Beaufort force 7). When wind speed exceeds 20 m/s, crane operations shall be stopped and the crane moved to its anchoring position. Non-working condition — with the crane shut down and anchored, the wind-resistant anti-slip devices must meet the following: in non-typhoon regions (e.g., inland areas), resist wind loads up to 30 m/s (Beaufort force 11); in typhoon-prone regions (e.g., coastal ports), resist wind loads up to 55 m/s (Beaufort force 16).
For wind load calculations, the wind force coefficient is taken as 1.2–1.6 per GB/T 3811 Crane Design Standard (depending on crane profile and wind direction), and the wind pressure height variation coefficient is taken per GB 50009. The total anti-slip force of all devices combined must satisfy: Fanti-slip ≥ 1.25 × Fwind (where Fwind is the sliding force generated by the calculated wind load). The 1.25 safety factor ensures adequate margin under extreme wind conditions.
Technical Requirements for Rail Clamps
The standard's specific requirements for rail clamps: Clamping force — under rated clamping force, the static friction coefficient between the clamp and the rail is taken as 0.12–0.15 (unlubricated steel-on-steel), and the resulting anti-slip force must be no less than 1.25 times the calculated wind load. Clamp jaws — jaw material shall be wear-resistant steel (e.g., 40Cr or 42CrMo, quenched hardness HRC40–50), with a contact width against the rail head of ≥ 20 mm. Jaws must be replaced when wear reaches 20% of the original thickness.
Clamping stroke — the travel from fully open to fully clamped must accommodate the rail head height (typically 105–130 mm), with an additional 10–15 mm adjustment margin. Automatic rail clamps — in the event of power loss or control system failure, automatic rail clamps must engage the rail via spring force (fail-safe protection), with a clamping response time not exceeding 2 seconds. Manual rail clamps — the operating force must not exceed 200 N (operable by a single person), and the control grip must include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.
The standard also requires rail clamps to be fitted with an open/closed position indicator (mechanical or electrical), allowing the operator to clearly see the clamp status from the ground or the operator cab.
Anchor Devices and Windproof Cables
The standard's requirements for anchor devices and windproof cables: Anchor devices — the anchor pin diameter is determined by wind load calculations, and the insertion depth must be no less than 1.5 times the pin diameter. Anchor seats must be fixed to the concrete foundation of the crane rail base. Each anchor device must carry a clear label indicating its rated anchoring force (e.g., 500 kN each). Anchor positions shall be arranged at both ends of the crane rail and at several predetermined intermediate locations, ensuring the crane can be anchored nearby from any working position. Windproof cables — cables are made of steel wire rope, with a minimum breaking force no less than 3 times the rated pulling force (safety factor ≥ 3). Both ends of the cable must be fitted with adjusting turnbuckles to fine-tune the preload. The connection angle between the cable and the ground anchor point should be controlled between 30° and 60° (horizontal included angle) — too small an angle reduces the horizontal force component, while too large an angle creates excessive upward force that could pull out the anchor point.
Kelude outdoor gantry cranes come standard with a dual-protection solution combining electric rail clamps and manual anchor devices, ensuring worry-free operation for coastal users.
Test Methods and Routine Maintenance
The standard's test methods include: Clamping force test — a force sensor measures the actual clamping force of the rail clamp, which must be no less than 95% of the design value. Anti-slip test — with the crane positioned on the maximum rail slope (typically a longitudinal gradient of ≤ 0.3%), the crane's sliding displacement along the rail must not exceed 5 mm under the maximum design wind load. Manual operating force test — the operating force of a manual rail clamp at maximum clamping force must not exceed 200 N.
Routine maintenance requirements: The rail clamp jaw opening should be cleaned weekly (remove oil and rust, as oil can reduce the friction coefficient by more than 50%). The anchor pin should be inspected monthly for deformation or wear. The windproof cable should be inspected quarterly for wire breaks and corrosion of the cable adjustment screw.
The standard emphasizes that after each work session, or when the forecast wind speed reaches ≥20 m/s, the operator must verify that the wind-resistant anti-slip device is securely engaged.
| Parameter | Rail clamp | Anchor device | Windproof Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| working principle | Clamping Crane Rail Head Friction | Latch Pin Fixingat Foundation | Wire Rope Tensioned to Ground |
| Slip Resistance | Depends onclamping force×friction coefficient | Depends on Pin Shear Strength | Depends on Wire Rope Breaking force |
| Optional Position Wind Resistance | Available(Each Crane Rail Usable at All Positions) | Not Available(Pre-set Only Positioning Setting) | Not Available(Pre-set Onlyanchor point) |
| Automation Level | Automatic/Manual | Manual Primary | Manual |
| Responsespeed | Electric≤2Seconds | Manual Operation(Several Minutes) | Manual Operation(Several Minutes) |
| Applicable Crane Types | bridge and gantry crane, Portal base Crane | All Outdoor Models | Large-Sized Portal base Crane, Quay Crane |
If the angle is too small (60°), the upward component becomes excessive and may pull the anchor point out of the ground. The cables are made of wire rope, and the minimum breaking force must be no less than 3 times the rated pulling force (safety factor ≥3). Both ends of the cable are fitted with adjusting turnbuckles for preload adjustment. Kelude's gantry cranes for coastal regions come standard with a triple-layer protection solution: electric rail clamps, manual anchoring, and windproof cables.
FAQ: Wind Protection for Gantry Cranes
Q: Why do outdoor cranes need both rail clamps and anchor devices?
A: Standards mandate two independent wind protection devices based on different principles as backup for each other. Rail clamps generate friction force by clamping the rail head and can be engaged at any position along the track. Anchor devices secure the crane to the foundation via pins, offering greater resistance to sliding but only at predetermined positions. Rail clamps handle day-to-day wind protection, while the crane moves to the anchor position for reinforcement when a typhoon warning is issued.
Q: How do wind protection requirements differ between coastal and inland sites?
A: Inland cranes are designed for a non-working wind speed of 30 m/s, while coastal port cranes are designed for 55 m/s — the wind load at the latter is 3.4 times higher. Coastal installations should also be equipped with an anemometer recorder and an emergency storm control system that automatically moves the crane to the anchor position when high winds approach.
Q: What are the technical requirements for windproof cable angles?
A: The horizontal angle between the cable and the ground should be kept between 30° and 60°. If the angle is too small, the horizontal force component is insufficient; if too large, the upward component may pull out the anchor point. The minimum breaking force of the cable must be no less than 3 times the rated pulling force, and turnbuckles at both ends allow preload adjustment.
Q: How does automatic wind protection work with electric rail clamps?
A: Electric rail clamps can be interlocked with the anemometer — when wind speed exceeds the preset threshold, the clamps automatically engage the rail with a response time of ≤2 seconds. In the event of power loss, spring force automatically engages the clamps (fail-safe protection). The operating force is ≤200 N, and the handle is fitted with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.
