Failure analysis of belt conveyor damage caused by the falling material. Part I: Experimental measurements and regression models

The most common case of conveyor belts damage is their puncture by falling sharp material. One of the ways, how to minimize this type of damage, is using of suitable type of conveyor belt. Therefore, the analysis of conveyor belts on the part of their puncture resistance is an important factor for their use in operation conditions. The aim of the paper is to determine the dependence among the weight of sharp material falling on the conveyor belt, shatter height and force conditions in the conveyor belt on the base of experimental measurements by the help of regression mathematical model and to determine conditions under which the conveyor belt is damaged. The experimental results enable the operator of a conveyor belt to set the shatter height and maximum weight of falling weight below the threshold values in order to prevent conveyor belt damage.