Design of an elevating work platform considering both the first and the second order effects and the inertial ones

The aim of this work is to perform the structural analysis problem of an elevating work platform having recourse to two different calculation methods. The first method takes into consideration the first-order classic theory while the second one involves the use of the second-order theory which, in short, takes into account the bending action on each element induced by the inflection produced both by the axial action and by the relevant moment. Another important aspect considered is the evaluation of the dynamic effects which are provided for the standards in force. In this work they also have been estimated the dynamic effects carrying out several experimental tests on elevating work platform. Comparing the different methods it is possible to infer that the use of a second-order model involves an increase of about 14% in the stresses, but the most important aspect is due to the fact that the safety factor halves, as regards the stresses. It happens according to a specific time history load and considering the oscillations produced by the dynamic effects in comparison with the case where these ones are not considered.