Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Kenneth Means.

Abstract

Tip-over/rollovers are the most frequent cause of fatalities associated with the use of scissor lifts. The objective of this study is to develop a dynamic model of a scissor lift to investigate tip-overs. A multibody dynamic model of a typical scissor lift was created using an advanced modeling platform---ADAMS RTM. This model was statically validated and dynamically calibrated based on experimental results from center of gravity, curb impact, and pothole depression tests. The dynamic responses of the scissor lift model were consistent with the experimental data. Once calibrated/validated, the model was used to simulate hazardous scenarios while varying the scissor lift's flexibility. Results of the simulations indicate that increased flexibility reduces the scissor lift's stability. This developed scissor lift model could be used to perform additional simulated conditions and for design optimization.

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