Failure of a Cast Steel Crane Bolster

The failure of a 45 Mg (50 ton) rail crane bolster was investigated. Spectrochemical analysis indicated that the material was a 0.25C-1.24Mn-0.62Cr-0.24Mo cast steel. SEM examination revealed the presence of fatigue, as well as intergranular and ductile fractures. Microstructural analysis focused on an area where an antisway device had been welded to the structure and revealed the presence of coarse, untempered martensite that had resulted from faulty weld repair techniques. It was suggested that the use of proper welding procedures, including preheating and postheating, would have prevented the failure.