Runway Structures

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An overhead crane runway structure is an integral part of an overhead crane system. It consists of a set of parallel tracks or beams on which the crane moves. These tracks are typically mounted on supporting beams or girders, which are in turn supported by columns or the building structure itself. The runway allows the crane’s bridge, which carries the hoisting mechanism, to travel longitudinally along the workspace, providing coverage of a wide area. The design and construction of the runway structure are critical for the safe and efficient operation of the crane. It must be robust enough to support the weight of the crane and the loads it carries, as well as withstand the forces generated during lifting and moving operations. The alignment and level of the runway are also crucial to ensure smooth and reliable crane movement. This structure can be found in various industrial environments, such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, and shipyards, where heavy or bulky materials need to be moved regularly across large areas.

Prolift Crane & Hoist Inc. offers complete runway solutions, including the design, engineering, and installation of both tied-back and freestanding runway structures. Our team can also provide the necessary structural and wheel-load data required for customers to engage a qualified civil engineer to design any associated foundations when required.

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Types of Runway Structures

  • Freestanding Top-Running Runways

    Freestanding top-running runways are supported entirely by independent columns that are not connected to the building structure. These systems carry the full vertical and horizontal loads of the crane and are ideal for facilities where the building cannot support crane loads or where crane installation is part of a new process layout. They offer maximum flexibility in placement and capacity.

  • Tied-Back Top-Running Runways

    Tied-back top-running runways use runway columns that are braced or tied into the building structure—typically through wall ties or roof bracing. This reduces the amount of steel required compared to a fully freestanding system while still providing strong support for top-running cranes. Tied-back designs are commonly used when the building can safely absorb horizontal forces but not full vertical loads.

  • Under-Running Runways (Freestanding, Tied-Back, or Ceiling-Mounted)

    Under-running runways support cranes that suspend from the bottom flange of the runway beam. These runways can be freestanding, tied back, or ceiling-mounted, depending on building constraints and load requirements. Under-running systems are ideal for maximizing hook height, operating in tighter spaces, or serving as workstation-style cranes with smooth, precise movement.

Recent Projects

Installation of 10 Ton Crane & Runway in Ontario

Prolift Crane & Hoist Inc. designed, fabricated, and installed a 10-ton single-girder top-running bridge crane with freestanding runways for a fabrication shop in southeastern Ontario this past June.

Runway Structures

FAQ

An overhead crane runway structure is the system of beams, rails, columns, and supports that the bridge crane travels on. It transfers crane loads—including lifted loads, crane self-weight, and dynamic forces—into the building structure or foundation. A properly designed runway is critical to crane performance, safety, and long-term reliability.

A tied-back runway is laterally supported by an existing building structure, typically through roof trusses, wall columns, or bracing. This type of runway relies on the building for lateral stability and is often more cost-effective when the building is structurally capable of supporting crane loads.

A freestanding runway is completely independent of the building and is supported by its own columns and foundations. This design is commonly used when the existing building cannot support crane loads, when installing cranes in pre-engineered buildings not designed for cranes, or when future building expansion or isolation from building movement is desired.

Crane runway systems impose significant vertical, lateral, impact, and fatigue loads on both foundations and supporting structures. A licensed civil or structural engineer is required to:

  • Design foundations
  • Verify soil bearing capacity and settlement limits
  • Ensure compliance with local building codes, CSA standards, and CMAA guidelines
  • Confirm that existing structures can safely support crane loads

Prolift Crane & Hoist Inc offers full in-house runway structure design for overhead crane systems, whether for new construction or retrofits to existing buildings. This includes runway beams, column layouts, rail selection, bracing concepts, and all crane-induced loading requirements.

However, the customer is responsible for engaging a qualified civil or structural engineer to verify that the building structure and/or foundations can safely support the runway structure as designed. Prolift will provide complete loading data, including vertical, lateral, impact, and wheel loads, to the customer’s engineer for review and approval.

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