Designing a crane-supported steel warehouse under uncertain loads in Serbia
About the Project
The project involved the design of a steel warehouse equipped with a crane system capable of handling significant dynamic loads. Located in Serbia, the structure was subject to Eurocode regulations alongside the Serbian National Annex. The warehouse’s core challenge lay in the complexity of steel connections that needed to safely support the operational stresses of crane movements.
Stavba-Projekt d.o.o., a family-owned structural engineering firm based in Bački Petrovac, handled the design. With a compact team of just two engineers, the company has been delivering expert engineering, design, and consulting services since 1989. Structural engineer Peter Benka played a central role in this project, overseeing the modeling, analysis, and optimization of the steel structure and its connections. The overall structural design was performed using Radimpex Tower, while IDEA StatiCa was used specifically for steel connection analysis and optimization.
\[ \textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Global 3D model in Radimpex Tower}}}\]
Engineering Challenges
The initial obstacle was the absence of a finalized crane specification. The investor had not selected a crane model, which meant that load data essential for connection and crane rail design was missing. This created a significant risk of delays and inefficiencies. Additionally, the tight timeline typical of commercial developments demanded a design process that was not only fast but rigorously code-compliant.
Another critical challenge stemmed from the need to address both static and dynamic loads imposed by the crane system. Traditional hand calculations would have been far too time-consuming and error-prone, particularly when working with Eurocode 3 requirements and dynamic load variations. Manually verifying connection compliance for multiple load combinations would have added unacceptable risk and workload to the small team.
\[ \textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Steel beam (holding a crane girder) connected to column}}}\]
Solutions and Results
To work around the lack of crane data, the team developed a generic model of the warehouse and crane structure based on typical specifications. This provided a flexible framework that allowed progress to continue without waiting on final details. When the exact crane data became available, the design was swiftly adapted using IDEA StatiCa’s advanced features.
IDEA StatiCa's automation capabilities allowed the team to redesign and verify complex steel connections—such as column anchoring, crane girder-to-beam interfaces, and dynamic load-bearing joints—in just a few hours. The software’s automated code-checking against Eurocode 3 ensured the structural safety and legal compliance of every connection.
\[ \textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Connection between crane girder and beam}}}\]
The benefits extended beyond the design phase. Using IDEA StatiCa Connection’s 3D visualization features and Bill of Materials output, the team improved on-site communication with contractors. During construction, this enabled quick resolution of technical questions and seamless coordination between engineering and fabrication teams.
Ultimately, the project was completed on time and within budget. IDEA StatiCa proved instrumental in turning a high-risk scenario into a streamlined, confident design process.
\[ \textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Main and secondary column anchoring}}}\]
Conclusion
This project demonstrated how a well-chosen digital workflow can turn uncertainty into a manageable design variable rather than a project risk. By relying on IDEA StatiCa for fast, reliable connection design and verification, the engineering team was able to remain flexible, respond immediately to late design inputs, and maintain full confidence in safety and compliance. Beyond time savings, the software supported clearer communication across all project stages, from design refinement to on-site execution, resulting in a smoother delivery process and a structure that met both technical and commercial expectations.
About Stavba-Projekt d.o.o.
Stavba-Projekt d.o.o. is an independent structural engineering practice known for its practical, detail-oriented approach to industrial and commercial projects. Combining decades of experience with modern engineering tools, the company focuses on delivering efficient, buildable solutions that balance safety, cost, and constructability. Its strength lies in close client collaboration, adaptability to changing project conditions, and the ability to provide reliable engineering support from concept design through construction.
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