Proceedings of the Seventh (1997) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference

Honolulu, USA, May 25-30, 1997

Copyright 1997 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers
ISBN 1.880653-28-1 (Set); ISBN 1-880653-29-X (Vol. I)

Lifting Eye Design

Edwin P. Russo and John N. Crisp
University o f New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA

William W. St. Cyr

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Stennis Space Center, MS, USA

Engin A. Egeseli
Avondale Industries, Avondale, LA, USA

ABSTRACT
This paper is an extension of earlier works by the authors on the
design and analysis of lifting eyes (padeyes). The emphasis is on
providing formulas that can be easily incorporated into computer
programs. The paper describes the philosophy of analysis for the
design of lifting eyes. A systematic ordered approach to the design
using simple beam theory is presented. Typical modes of failure for
this connection associated with direct pin action on the padeye are
bearing, pullout, and tension tearing. In the body of the lifting eye
shear, tension, and bending stresses occur. A semi-graphical solution
is also presented for quick order-of-magnitude hand calculations.
Key Words:

Lifting eye, padeye, connection

NOMENCLATURE
Ab
Ac
As
A tl
At2
a

"
"
-

Cc
c
D
De
E
e
F
Fo

Fy h
Ic I~ 12

Minimum pin beating area, in s (ram 2)

Area of hypothetical column, in 2 (mm ~)
Area of pin shear pullout, in 2 (ram 2)
Area of net tearing section at pin hole, in 2 (mm 2)
Area of net tearing section at pin hole, in 2 (ram 2)
Distance from upper edge of padeye to center of pinhole, in
(mm)
Distance from center of pin hole to attachment structure,
in (mm)
Slenderness ratio transition point
Size of cheek plate fillet weld, in (ram)
Diameter of pin hole, in (ram)
Diameter of pin, in (mm)
Modulus of elasticity, ksi (MPa)
Edge distance at pin hole, in (ram)
Load factor
Allowable axial stress, ksi (MPa)
Minimum specified yield stress, ksi (MPa)
Total length of plate at any cross section, in (mm)
Moment of inertia of hypothetical column, in4 (mm 4)
Moment of inertia of main plate, cheek plates in section and
acting stiffeners for in-plane bending, in 4 (mm 4)
Moment of inertia of main plate, cheek plates in section, and
acting stiffeners for out-of-plane bending, in 4 (mm 4)
425

K
L
Ltl
l
Mt
Ms
n
P
Pt
R
Re
r
rc
rg
T
t
W
w
w

'
-

x'

y
z
z'

ct
J3
~b
~'
y~
Y2
~

ow

x~
re

Effective length factor of hypothetical column

Main plate attachment length, in (mm)
Length of plate tearing section, in (mm)
Length of hypothetical column, in (ram)
In-plane bending moment, in-kips (N-mm)
Out-of-plane bending moment, in-kips (N.mm)
Number of padeyes carrying the load
Dynamic design load, kips (N)
Transverse load on padeye, kips (N)
Radius of main plate, in (ram)
Effective radius of main plate, in (ram)
Outside radius of cheek plate, in (mm)
Effective radius of cheek plates, in (mm)
Radius of gyration of hypothetical column, in (ram)
Thickness of main plate, in (ram)
Thickness of cheek plate, in (mm)
Total weight of lift, kips (N)
Size of main plate fillet weld, in (mm)
Effective maximum width of plate for hypothetical column in
compression, in (mm)
Distance from center of pin hole along X axis, in (ram)
(Fig. 1)
Distance from center of pin hole to neutral axis of section, in
(mm) (Fig. 6)
Distance from center of pin hole along Y axis, in (mm)
Distance from center of pin hole along Z axis, in (mm)
Distance from center of pin hole to cross section being
analyzed, in (mm) (Fig. 6)
Angle sling makes with the horizontal, degrees
Angle padeye attachment section makes with load, degrees
Angle between vertical and attachment section, degrees
Angle of taper, degrees
Angle of fight taper of padeye, degrees
Angle of left taper of padeye, degrees
Stress due to combined bending and axial load, ksi (MPa)
Nominal weld electrode tensile strength, ksi (MPa)
In-plane shear stress in main plate, ksi (MPa)
Out-of-plane shear stress in main plate, ksi (MPa)