Condition and behaviour diagnostics of drive groups on belt conveyors

Belt conveyors are complex systems with drive groups as functionally very important components. Their proper and reliable operational life is directly related to durability of the load-bearing steel structures. Drive units often have problems linked to increasing of vibrations of steel structures. Drive units on 2nd BWE-BC-S system on Drmno open cast mine (Serbia) and on waste dump on Pljevlja open cast mine (Montenegro) were used as the examples of behaviour and condition diagnostics. As the most suitable diagnostic tool, numerical–experimental procedure was defined in the paper. It showed that the considered constructions failed due to incorrect operational parameters related to vibrations of structures. Appropriate strength diagnostic gave solutions for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The analysis was done using computer calculation, finite element method, with the required experimental measurements. This enabled determination of the actual behaviour of structure, reliable prediction of its response in exploitation, determination of the cause for unfavourable behaviour or failure, assessment of service life time of reliable exploitation and the level of revitalization. As exploitation problems develop mostly from improper geometry design, presented methodology is necessary in the engineering analysis. This approach is justified due to low costs with a high level of the results.