- Title
- Numerical and experimental investigation of dynamic belt and bulk material interactions in belt conveyor systems
- Creator
- Shen, Jiahe
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2019
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- Belt conveyors are used extensively in the field of bulk material transport and handling. With the trend of faster and longer operating belt conveyor systems, it has become increasingly important to investigate the dynamic belt deflection in order to quantify and reduce the flexure resistance. Dynamic belt deflection refers to the deformation of the belt when transporting a bulk material over successive idler sets and is closely associated with the interaction of the belt and bulk material. The complexity of the interaction increases as the belt deforms and deflects according to the induced bulk material pressure distribution. The work presented in this thesis analyses the dynamic belt deflection through the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM). While the DEM is advanced in describing the behaviour of each individual particle, the FEM is suitable for analysing structural components subjected to external forces. This study presents a coupled FEM-DEM model developed for predicting dynamic belt deflection, in which the open source software Code_Aster (FEM) and Liggghts (DEM) are applied and coupled through an interface programmed in Python. Based on the developed coupled model, the dynamic belt deflection is investigated over a range of belt speeds and tensions for a number of bulk materials. To validate the coupled FEM-DEM model, a method based on the photogrammetry technique is developed and used to experimentally measure the dynamic belt deflection. A specially designed test rig that reverses the movement of the belt and idlers by recirculating the idlers underneath a fixed belt is utilised. Furthermore, this research work also presents the application of the coupled FEM-DEM model in calculating the bulk material flexure resistance. The coupled FEM-DEM model developed in conjunction with the underlying theory allows readers to predict the dynamic belt deflection and flexure resistance, and therefore facilitates the design of belt conveyors used in industry.
- Subject
- dynamic belt deflection; FEM; DEM; flexure resistance
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1398140
- Identifier
- uon:34391
- Rights
- Copyright 2019 Jiahe Shen
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 11 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 222 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |