The Influence of Fatigue Loading on the Durability of the Conveyor Belt

Abstract

The conveyor belt is by its structure a textile composite. As a load-supporting element of the conveyor, the belt withstands variable loads during its operations. In order to investigate the influence of the level and variability of loading on the life of the belt, tests were carried out on specimens in laboratory conditions. A testing device was specially designed and made for these tests that enabled precise control and monitoring of the loading as well as number of loading cycles up to fracture. This research provides an overview of the influence of fatigue loading on the fatigue life of the belt. The methodology of the conducted research is explained with a description of important technical parameters of the testing device. A physical experiment and a corresponding numerical simulation using the FEM method were carried out with multiple loading levels of belt specimens. Based on the obtained results, appropriate conclusions were made; at loads less than 70% of the breaking strength, the lifetime of the belt is very long. Attention was drawn to additional influences that could not be covered by the experiment and possible directions for further research were indicated.