Monitoring dynamic loading of conveyer belts by measuring local peak impact forces

A conveyor belt represents a critical structural component of belt conveyors due to the frequent belt damage occurrences. To eliminate such damage, a belt's performance characteristics, such as strength, service life and impact resistance, are crucial issues. This article presents the results of an experimental investigation of the impact resistance of three different types of rubber-textile conveyor belts. The effects of factors and the interactions between them were determined while applying the DOE method. Mathematical models were used to identify the relationship between the local peak impact forces and various values of the impact process input parameters. In the case of the first local peaks of the impact force, the existing multiple linear regression model was confirmed. Subsequent local impact force peaks were affected by the resulting damped motion of the material impacting the conveyor belt. As a result, different and simpler regression models were created for these subsequent local peak impact forces. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.