Vibration as deciding parameter during revitalization process for replacing the bucket wheel drive

Abstract

After years of excavator`s operation in adverse conditions, one can expect a ratio between the bucket wheel drive and bucket wheel boom which may lead to impairment of structural integrity. Finite elements method is defined as a diagnostic tool for the anomalies occurrence prevention during operation, and the measured acceleration as a proof of the model's correctness i.e. revitalization procedure. New solution of the bucket wheel drive reconstruction and revitalization (drive group replacing) is derived on the basis of detailed stress analysis, calculation results and measured accelerations at characteristic points. Operation life of the bucket wheel excavator is directly dependent of the steel structure durability. It is shown in practice that timely replacement of an old, irregular bucket wheel drive has a positive effect on the behavior of tubular structures of the bucket wheel boom. Experimental acceleration measurements must provide support to the numerical model based on finite elements method, which is main diagnostic tool.