DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED MOTORISED WHEELBARROW FOR CONSTRUCTION SITE OPERATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/njtd.v22i1.3441Keywords:
Electric Motor, Energy Efficiency, Motorized assistance, Pivoted Handle, WheelbarrowAbstract
Efficient material handling is crucial for productivity and safety in the construction industry where tasks often involve transporting heavy loads across challenging terrains. Commonly used conventional wheelbarrows are limited by their manual operation, lack of adaptability to different user heights, and reduced efficiency on uneven surfaces. To address some of these inadequacies, this study introduces a redesigned motorized wheelbarrow to enhance ergonomics, performance, and versatility for construction sites in Nigeria. The improved design incorporates a 0.5 hp electric motor, pivoted handles for the user’s height range from 150 to 190 cm, and a detachable carriage with a steel frame supporting a maximum load of 136 kg. CAD simulations revealed a minimum safety factor of 9.380 for the wheelbarrow frame and vibration modes between 0.24 - 0.57 Hz. Performance tests demonstrated up to 70% higher speeds on smooth roads compared to sandy ground, maintaining functionality up to 30 kg in motorized operation.
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