Structural monitoring of elevator guide rail bracket under normal running condition

Abstract In parallel with the need for high-rise building structures over the last five decades, challenge in the field of elevator technology has increased. Elevator facilities are one of the most important mechanical systems among the vertical transport systems that have vast variety of usage areas. Guide rails and connection equipment are used to guide the vertical movement of elevators, prevent horizontal movement, and help to stop cabin in case of emergency. The state of stresses and deformations in guide rails and their brackets that perform different and important tasks and their association with elevator safety is a very important issue that needs to be investigated. In this study, three different load distributions that result in forces, stresses, and deflections on guide rail and rail brackets have been considered to attain analytical solutions described in related standards. Finite element modeling and stress analysis of guide rail connection system have been performed. In addition, experimental studies were carried out to measure the normal stresses on the guide rail brackets during the movement of the elevator. About 15.46 % higher experimental normal stress values were observed on the rail bracket during the movement of the elevator in accordance with FEA results.