• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.5D
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• pp.705-717
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• 2011

The number of horizontal tower cranes, major hoisting machineries for lifting approximately 50% of entire materials in construction projects, is rapidly increasing, but a number of accidents related to the tower cranes are being continuously occurred in construction sites as well. In particular, telescoping works in the horizontal tower cranes have showed the greatest safety concerns such as falls and collapses. It is due to the fact that tasks inserting a new mast in the space made after raising telescoping cage by fluid pressure and ascending it to the required height in the telescoping works include a series of dangerous factors in safety aspects, and might cause very serious and unexpected accidents in construction sites. The primary objective of this research is to propose two conceptual models for automating the telescoping work in horizontal tower crane and conduct their technical feasibility analyses. In this study, a design concept, a position control system using hydraulic cylinders is suggested as a better alternative for automating the telescoping work. Its potential safety improvement rate compared to the conventional method is also analyzed and presented in this study.