Re: Internal Struts On Hoppers
I have a memory of the problems you anticipate occurring at a BSC site where structural engineers insisted on transverse ties inside a mass flow design hopper. If I can find a reference I'll post it. ■
Re: Internal Struts On Hoppers
Maybe, if required, you can use them under the guise of "transverse inserts", p 28:
http://login.totalweblite.com/Client...or%20belts.pdf
Regards,
Lyle ■
Re: Internal Struts On Hoppers
Wow
Internal struts are very common inside hoppers of large baghouses for obvious reasons
I have never ever seen CHS struts used in bulk materials hoppers. What is common is to use large angles or I beams - esp. at the top of bottom opening of the hopper and stifferners designed acc. around and up/down
How are you going to make sure that a strut will last?
I have modified long slot hoppers for FEL reclaim to have an insert plate (inverted V plus internal fillet plates)...this was to reduce material pressure onto the belt feeder and help eliminate starting/slip issues with the feeder > ie converted one long hopper into two shorter slot hoppers. So..I guess that this is a structural element - but the original hopper was designed a a long slot. Mind you - the hopper is not large - to suit 4m3 FEL machine
Cheers
James ■
Cross Ties In Hoppers
Apart from any influence on flow reliability, any fitting in the flow path of a hopper is likely to carry high bending loads. The danger in this proopsal is that a long, circular sections would deflect excessively and pull in the side walls. Deep, thin vertical straps tied to vertical ribs on the walls would offer least flow resistance, provided that flow follows a vertical path. Their obstruction to flow would be minimal and probably at elevations in the hopper where the size of the flow channel is not likely to be vulnerable to arching.
The proposal, however, does give some concern that the design is being prepared withut primary consideration given to flow reliability. ■
Internal Struts on Hoppers
Has anyone had any experience with internal struts inside hoppers.
Basically they are a circular hollow sections that span the walls of hopper on the inside. To provide a strength to the hopper by tieing the two sides of the hopper together. I have seen some used on a wedge shaped hopper at Blair Athol Coal mine in australia.
As a mechanical engineer i think they are crazy and bound to cause flow problems . However I am keeping an open mind so i have put this question forward to see others experience.
The proposal is coming from a structural engineer (obvoiously) and is for a 250t wedge shape hopper designed for mass flow of iron ore (max size 50 mm and sg 2.5)
I was thinking that if the spacing was for example greater than say 3 times the critical arching dimension then maybe it might not cause to many problems. Also i am thinking if the internal strut is only at the transition from hopper to bin it wont be so bad.
Edit: I have been able to convince the structural engineer to remove all but 1 internal struts considering the material. THe structural engineer did not appreciate the materials handling issues that come with handling iron ore. Still interested in any comments if anyone has any.
Thanks
Peter ■