Engineering Reference & ASME Code Basis
1. Core Formula & Variable Definitions
ASME BTH-1-2023 — Design of Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices (Chapter 3 lug / pin) · AISC Steel Construction Manual 15th Ed. — Connections / lug plate practice · ASME B30.20-2021 — Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices · AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Code — Steel (fillet weld sizing)
Pt = Wlift·IF / (N·cos θ) · Ps = Pt·sin θ
σb = Pt/(Dpin·t) ≤ 1.25 Fy/Nd · τtear = Pt/(2·a·t) ≤ 0.40 Fy/Nd
τw = √[(Pt/Aw)² + (Ps·h/Sw)²] ≤ 0.30 FEXX
ASME BTH-1-2023 Category B (Nd = 2.0) · AISC lug practice · AWS D1.1 fillet · ASME B30.20 below-the-hook
θ is sling angle from vertical (0–60°). Edge distance a = R_outer − D_hole/2. Weld throat uses both-face fillets: A_w = 2·0.707·w·L and S_w = 0.707·w·L²/3. Screening only — not a stamped BTH-1 / B30.20 design package.
- W_lift (Total lift weight) — Static load to lift (kN or kip), before impact factor.
- IF (Dynamic impact factor) — Multiplier on W_lift for dynamic / snatch effects (typically 1.0–2.0).
- θ (Sling angle from vertical) — Angle between sling and vertical; limited to ≤ 60° in this screen.
- N (Number of acting lugs) — Load-sharing pad eyes (1, 2, or 4).
- P_t, P_s (Tension and shear per lug) — P_t = W·IF/(N·cos θ); P_s = P_t·sin θ.
- σ_b (Pin-hole bearing stress) — P_t / (D_pin · t) compared to 1.25 F_y / Nd (BTH-1 Category B).
- a (Edge distance) — a = R_outer − 0.5·D_hole for tear-out shear path.
- τ_w (Combined fillet weld stress) — √[(P_t/A_w)² + (P_s·h/S_w)²] ≤ 0.30 F_EXX (both-face fillet).
2. Screening rules & default duty (Category B)
Default metric duty: W = 150 kN, IF = 1.15, 2 lugs, θ = 30°, S355 plate 25 mm, hole 42 mm, pin 38 mm, both-face 12 mm fillet × 160 mm. Pass when bearing, tear-out, and weld unity ≤ 1.0 and θ ≤ 60°.
Pin bearing allowable = 1.25 F_y / Nd; tear-out allowable = 0.40 F_y / Nd.
θ > 60° fails this screen — use a spreader / lifting beam and stamped BTH-1 design.
Larger clearance may require BTH-1 local stress concentration review (Eq. 3-48 class).
Fatigue, fracture toughness at low temperature, spreader beams, and OEM shackle charts are not certified here.
Quick Reference Lookup Table
| Case | P_t / lug | Governing notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 t · 2 lugs · 30° · S355 · t 25 mm · pin 38 mm | 99.6 kN | Pass · weld unity 75% · W_safe/lug ≈ 100 kN |
| 50 t · 4 lugs · 45° · S355 · t 40 mm · pin 60 mm | 212.1 kN | Pass · σ_b 88.4 MPa / allow 221.9 MPa |
| 30 kip · 2 lugs · 0° · A36 · t 0.75 in · pin 1.25 in | 17.25 kip | Pass · σ_b ≈ 18.4 ksi |
| 100 kip · 4 lugs · 30° · A572-50 · t 1.5 in · pin 2 in | 36.1 kip | Pass · weld governs · W_safe/lug ≈ 33 kip |
P_t = W·IF/(N·cos θ). Weld model is both-face fillet at the lug base. Values are from the calculator engine, not LLM placeholders.
3. Applicability & structural steel service limits
Ambient structural carbon steels (S275 / S355 / A36 / A572 Gr.50 / SA-516 Gr.70) with Category B Nd = 2.0. Not temperature-derated ASME Section II-D allowables.
| Group / Regime | Range / Condition | Limit / Criterion | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| S275 / S355 (EN 10025-2 class) | Screening −20 °C to +100 °C ambient | Fy from structural-steel-properties.json | Below −20 °C, confirm toughness / impact requirements for the lift. Above +100 °C, re-rate yield and weld allowables. |
| ASTM A36 / A572 Gr.50 | Screening −20 °C to +100 °C ambient | Fy 36 ksi / 50 ksi class | Use mill cert Fy when thicker plate derates yield. Not a substitute for project fracture-critical review. |
| Fillet weld E70XX / E80XX | Match electrode to base-metal service | τ_w ≤ 0.30 F_EXX | Both-face fillet assumed along base length L. One-sided welds or intermittent fillets need separate review. |
Code Applicability & Safety Boundaries
- Field screening only — not a stamped ASME BTH-1 or B30.20 design package.
- Sling angle > 60° from vertical is out of scope; use a spreader beam.
- Shackle WLL shown is a Grade 80 pin-diameter reference, not a certified rigging selection.
- Export / PDF is a duty worksheet — verify final geometry with qualified lift engineering.
4. Step-by-Step Worked Example
Field VerificationShowHide
Step-by-Step Worked Example: 15 t · 2 Lugs · 30° · S355 Metric
Screen a pad-eye for W_lift = 150 kN, IF = 1.15, two acting lugs, sling angle 30° from vertical, S355 plate t = 25 mm, R_outer = 80 mm, D_hole = 42 mm, D_pin = 38 mm, hole height 150 mm, both-face 12 mm fillet × 160 mm, E70XX (F_EXX = 485 MPa), ASME BTH-1 Category B Nd = 2.0.
Sling tension and shear per lug
Pin-hole bearing vs allowable
Tear-out and both-face weld
Open /15ton-2lugs-30deg-s355-metric for the live default case.
5. How to screen lifting lug capacity (BTH-1 / AISC)
- 1
Enter lift duty
Set total lift weight, impact factor, number of acting lugs, and sling angle from vertical (keep θ ≤ 60°).
- 2
Enter lug geometry and steel
Input plate thickness, outer radius, pin hole and shackle pin diameters, hole height, and select S275/S355/A36/A572-50/SA-516-70.
- 3
Set base fillet weld
Enter fillet leg size, weld length along the base, and electrode (E70XX or E80XX). The engine assumes both-face fillets.
- 4
Read W_safe/lug and unities
Hero shows safe lift capacity per lug. Summary chips show bearing, tear-out, and weld unity. Pass means all ≤ 100% and θ ≤ 60°.
6. Frequently Asked Questions & Technical References
ShowHide
Category B uses design factor Nd = 2.0 on yield for the pin-hole bearing and related lug-plate checks in this screen (ASME BTH-1).
Angles above 60° produce large lateral loads and buckling risk outside this pad-eye screen. Use a spreader / lifting beam and a stamped BTH-1 design.
This app models both-face fillet welds along the lug base (A_w = 2 · 0.707 · w · L), which is standard pad-eye practice.
No. Pass is a field screening result only. Confirm ASME B30.20, site lift plan, shackle OEM charts, and qualified engineering before the lift.