Integral analysis of conveyor pulley using finite element method

Pulleys are functionally critical items in belt conveyors. Earlier research ers have mostly analyzed the pulley in parts rather than as an integral str ucture. Since the stresses and deflections of its various parts are inter-r elated, an integral analysis is mandatory for reliable pulley design. A fin ite element software has been developed for the analysis of pulleys utilizi ng a 3-noded thick conical shell element and a triangular ring element. Thi s work considers all the well-known assuctmptions on load variations along the pulley face-width and around its periphery. A semianalytical approach u sing Fourier analysis has been adopted. To validate the software, compariso n has been carried out with published experimental and theoretical investig ations. A few parametric studies are also reported to elucidate the mutual inter-dependence of stresses in the pulley components. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.