Cranes with suspended loads generate the highest ground pressure when working in which area?

When cranes are operating with suspended loads, the highest ground pressure occurs when the crane is situated in the corner of an operational area. This is due to the load being lifted and the dynamics involved in the crane's configuration at that position. In the corner, the distribution of the weight and the force exerted by the load tends to be unevenly concentrated, leading to higher localized pressures on the ground.

As the crane moves into the corner, the leverage and angle of the boom change, which increases the stress on the ground beneath the crane’s outriggers or tracks. The geometry of the crane at this point often results in a pivot effect, amplifying the ground pressure in this specific area.

Other areas such as the center and the edges may distribute weight more evenly, resulting in lower overall ground pressure compared to the corner. Flat areas can also lead to even distribution but could still lack the concentrated forces seen in the corner scenario. Therefore, the corner position is critical in understanding ground pressure dynamics when cranes are under load.