Construction of FEM belt models for determination of the indentation rolling resistance

This article is based on the contribution for the 25th Symposium on Bulk Materials Handling Technology in Magdeburg [1] and describes belt models based on the finite element method (FEM) for simulative determinations of the indentation rolling resistance (IRR) occurring at belt conveyors. As numerical solver the simulation software Abaqus is used. The investigated FEM belt model corresponds to an extended layer model, a further development of the layer model according to Oehmen [12].

Based on material parameters of the used elastomers, direct conclusions about the expected indentation rolling resistance are possible, which enables a greater preliminary analysis of potential mixing ratios of belt elastomers as well as general cost savings. Hereby our simulation is based on an IRR test of a steel rope conveyor belt carried out at the Institute of Transport and Automation Technology (ITA).

With a conveying speed of 1 m/s at ambient temperatures of -30 °C, 0 °C, 20 °C and 40 °C as well as under influence of wide-related superimposed loads of 5,000 N/m up to 10,000 N/m, the chosen simulation conditions are identical to those of the previous practical test. Furthermore, the material properties of the simulated elastomer correspond to those of the tested conveyor belt and originate from previous work. This enables a direct comparison and thus validation of the accuracy of our simulation model.