QU100 Crane Rail Dimensions: Height, Head, Base, Web and Weight

The QU100 crane rail is one of the most widely used heavy-duty crane rails in the GB standard family. It is specified for port gantry cranes, large overhead cranes in metallurgical plants and heavy-duty warehouse systems, where cranes operate frequently with heavy wheel loads. Its cross-section is wider and thicker than a standard railway rail so that it can withstand the concentrated wheel pressures and the repeated starts, stops and lateral thrust of crane service.

QU100 Standard Dimensions

The nominal dimensions of the QU100 section, subject to the manufacturing tolerances of the standard, are:

The tall section with a thick web provides ample bending strength and fatigue resistance, and the wide head distributes the concentrated wheel load and resists the indentation that frequent crane movements can cause. Compared with QU70 or QU80, the QU100 carries higher wheel pressures and gives a longer wear life, making it suitable for large spans, high wheel loads and high operating frequency. Compared with the larger QU120, it offers a better balance between cost and installation convenience.

The GB Crane Rail Series at a Glance

The series follows a clear pattern: each step up adds height, head width and web thickness, lifting the allowable wheel load and the resistance to indentation and bending. Selection is driven by the crane wheel load, the span, the operating frequency and the rail support condition, and the standard length and joint details are matched to the runway beam layout.

Material and Processing

QU series rails are rolled in U71Mn carbon-manganese steel, the same workhorse grade used for Chinese mainline rails, giving a combination of strength, hardness and weldability. For crane service, the steel must resist indentation under concentrated wheel loads, so hardness verification is part of the acceptance. QU rails are commonly supplied with drilled joint holes and matched fishplates, and the ends can be machined to specification. The rail is welded or jointed into continuous crane runways, and the fastening system uses rail clips or clamps rather than the baseplate systems of mainline track, because the crane rail sits on a steel or concrete runway beam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the weight of a QU100 rail per metre?

The theoretical weight is 88.96 kg/m. A standard 12 m length therefore weighs roughly 1068 kg, which matters for transport and lifting planning.

Q: What is the difference between QU70 and QU100?

QU70 is 120 mm high with a 70 mm head and weighs 52.8 kg/m, while QU100 is 150 mm high with a 100 mm head and weighs 88.96 kg/m. QU100 carries higher wheel loads and lasts longer on heavily used crane runways.

Q: Which steel grade is used for QU100?

U71Mn is the standard grade for the GB QU series. It provides the strength, hardness and weldability needed for crane service, and its properties are verified by mill certificates at delivery.

Q: Can QU100 be used on a mainline railway?

Technically it is a rail, but it is not designed for mainline wheel-rail contact dynamics or signalling compatibility. QU100 is a crane rail for runway beams; mainline track needs the appropriate vignole section and fastening system.

Q: How is a QU100 rail fixed to the runway beam?

With crane rail clamps, clips or continuous weld, depending on the runway type and duty. The fastening must allow longitudinal movement for thermal expansion while holding the rail laterally, which is why crane rail fastenings differ from mainline fastenings.

Q: What lengths are QU100 rails supplied in?

Standard rolling lengths are typically 9 to 12 m, with ends machined and holes drilled to the project specification. Longer continuous runways are built by welding or jointing these lengths with fishplates.