Kelvin-Voigt Model of Dynamic Stress in the Conveyors’ Belt

The paper considers the reasons for the occurrence of dynamic stresses in a conveyor belt made of composite materials, the properties of which can be described by the Kelvin-Voigt model of an elastic element. A boundary value problem for the equation of elastic vibrations in a lightly loaded conveyor-type transport system is formulated. The dependencies determining the forces of resistance to the movement of the belt correspond to the recommendations of DIN 22101:2011-12. An expression is presented that determines the speed of propagation of disturbances in the conveyor belt, taking into account the uneven distribution of material along the transport route. The reasons for the appearance of elastic stresses in the conveyor belt associated with the start, acceleration, deceleration and stop of the transport conveyor are demonstrated. Dimensionless parameters were introduced to analyze the causes of dynamic stresses in the conveyor belt. Similarity criteria in the dimensionless transport conveyor model make it possible to use the results obtained for similar transport systems. It is shown that the value of static stresses for lightly loaded transport systems is characterized by a linear dependence on the distance between the belt element and the drive shaft of the conveyor section. The solution of the boundary value problem defining the expression for dynamic stresses in the tape is presented. It is shown that the decay speed of the arising disturbances is inversely proportional to the value of the viscosity coefficient of the composite material, which characterizes the mechanical properties of the conveyor belt. A qualitative assessment has been made for the characteristic decay time of dynamic disturbances in a conveyor belt.