Field measurement of contact forces on rollers for a large diameter pipe conveyor

Abstract

An intensive field measurement was carried out to assess the force acting on the rollers for a large diameter pipe conveyor. A special idler enclosing two dynamometers was designed and installed in the various roller positions. The forces on the rollers were metered while the conveyor was running with and without conveying material. The position of the two dynamometers was such allowing to derive the theoretical contact point of the belt onto the roller. The measurements were carried out in a straight section of the pipe conveyor and in the centre part of a horizontal curve. Obtained data are presented, analysed, and compared with the values from a six-point stiffness testing device. Further, the participation factor of the material load on the roller forces for a single roller is derived. The study concludes with a critical review of the findings comparing them with results presented in the literature.

Keywords

• belt roller contact force
• rubber-textile belt
• pipe conveyor
• six-point stiffness testing device
• field measurement