New mechanism for continuous and bidirectional displacement of heavy structures: Design and analysis

•Development of a device for moving heavy structures using the friction force.•Study of a new mechanism using advanced simulation tools: CAD and FEM programs.•Nonlinear structural analysis with multi-contact friction model using FEM.

The aim of this paper is to design and study a new mechanism for moving heavy structures using the force of friction. The mechanism designed is called DCACLM and was patented in 2011. This new device is based on an inverted crawler which is able to displace heavy structures such as large span bridges in a continuous and bidirectional way. Furthermore, the DCACLM design has taken into account other important aspects such as safety and sustainability in order to develop new construction methods. Nonlinear numerical models using the Finite Element Method have been developed to study the complex structural behavior of this new mechanism. The main conclusions provide acceptable results in terms of stresses and strains for the main elements of DCACLM.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide