Title: Formation excavation resistance modelling for shovel dippers

Authors: Kwame Awuah-Offei, Samuel Frimpong, Hooman Askari-Nasab

Addresses: Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 226 McNutt Hall, 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65401, USA. ' Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 226 McNutt Hall, 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65401, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2W2, Canada

Abstract: Modelling and simulation of formation resistance to excavation has become important in evaluating performance and designing efficient earthmoving equipment. Previous attempts at extending the passive earth theory to excavator dippers have only covered snap-shot estimates for a right-angled framed assembly. This work applies cable shovel kinematics and dynamics to estimate the dynamic cutting depth and angle, making it possible to apply the passive earth theory to model dipper dynamic formation resistance. Geometric simulation is applied to model the resistance due to the material payload. The models are then applied to simulate the formation resistance for a 17-yd³ dipper. The results show that the payload resistance (141-kN) is far more significant than the cutting resistance (between 16-kN and 31-kN).

Keywords: cable shovel excavation; passive earth theory; numerical methods; dynamic simulation; formation excavation resistance; excavation resistance modelling; shovel dippers; performance evaluation; earthmoving equipment design; cable shovel kinematics; cable shovel dynamics; payload resistance; cutting resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2009.023131

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.127 - 146

Published online: 10 Feb 2009 *

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