(34b) Analysis of the Flexure Resistance of Conveyor Belt: Development of a New Experimental Method

There is a need to optimise the design criteria for belt conveyor system in order to produce efficient belt conveying systems for mining and mineral processing industry. While other studies have looked at main resistances that influence the efficiency of running a belt conveyor, few have specifically focused on the influence of conveyor belt flexure resistance. Flexure resistance occurs due to the internal hysteresis when the belt goes through a cyclic reshaping as it passes from one idler set to the next. This paper describes the use of an empirical method to determine belt flexure resistance on a belt conveying system.

The University of Newcastle has develop a large scale test facility that measures the combine influence of indentation rolling resistance and belt flexure resistance on a conveyor belt. The large scale test facility experiment method uses two rollers to apply a vertical load on the conveyor belt. A measurement apparatus is positioned at the centre of the test facility which measures the combination of indentation rolling resistance and belt flexure resistance. Belt flexure resistance component is present due to the application of applying load to the conveyor belt which pushes the conveyor belt downwards to form a curve shape. To examine belt flexure resistance, two assumptions have been made where one method assumes that belt flexure resistance is independent of belt load; while the other assumes that belt flexure resistance changes with belt load. To verify which method best determines belt flexure resistance on a conveyor belt, a different way of measuring only indentation rolling resistance was undertaken on the large scale test facility.

These findings will contribute to better understanding of belt flexure resistance through experimental methods and improve efficiency of belt conveyor design. This study will provide essential information for designers of belt conveyors systems intending to design an energy efficient system by allowing the consideration of conveyor belt flexure resistance.