Investigation of stress in an earthmover bucket using finite element analysis: a generic model for draglines
O Gölbasi, N Demirel
Draglines are massive machines extensively utilized in opencast mines for
overburden stripping. The demanding working environment induces
fractures, wear and tear, and fatigue failures in dragline components and
eventuates in extended maintenance, lengthy downtimes, and loss of
production. The bucket is the main source of external loads on the
machinery, since interactions with ground materials take place in this
region. This study aims to develop a generic finite element model of the
stress on an operating bucket. This entails (i) three-dimensional modelling
of a dragline bucket, (ii) analytical estimation of resistive forces in the
bucket movement, (iii) three-dimensional simulation of the moving bucket
using finite element analysis (FEA), and (iv) sensitivity analysis to
examine the effect of formation characteristics on stress variation.
Simulation results imply that the drag hitch and digging teeth are the
elements of the bucket that are most prone to failure. In addition,
sensitivity analysis indicates that internal friction angle of the formation
is the dominant parameter leading fluctuations in stress values. Changes
in stress level are least influenced by formation density.
Keywords: dragline bucket, formation-bucket interaction, stress distribution, finite
element analysis, sensitivity analysis.