Tension-Induced Conveyor Belts: A Finite Element Free Vibration Study

Abstract

A conveyor belt is often analyzed for free vibration by considering a panel of it that may yield results that are misleading. To improve on the existing practice, an analysis has been carried out by treating the complete belt as a folded plate. For these belts, high tension is induced, and the belts vibrate in a flexural mode. A discrete Kirchhoff triangle (DKT) plate-bending element, in combination with Allman's plane stress triangle, has been used to carry out the necessary finite element analysis. Free vibration study has been carried out for three different belt shapes. Results have been compared when available. Although scanty literature is available on the free vibration of folded plates, no investigation has yet been reported so far on folded plates with in-plane forces, which occurs in the case of conveyor belts. Results for these cases are presented for the first time.

Keywords

Finite element free vibration conveyor belts folded plate

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