Weighing of a Stacker Reclaimer

A rail-mounted bucket wheel stacker reclaimer had recently been refurbished following a partial structural failure, but before it could be returned to service it was necessary to weigh the machine to confirm its as-built condition matched the design intent for balance, stability, slew bearing loads and wheel loads.

LEC prepared a weighing method statement and undertook on-site supervision of the weighing, which was undertaken by jacking the eight-wheel bogie structures.

LEC then processed the site measurements to calculate the total weight and weight distribution (centre of mass) of the stacker reclaimer, and compared these to the design values to determine whether re-ballasting might be necessary to ensure the slew bearing service life would not be compromised due to an out-of-balance condition.

Finite Element Analysis of 3500t Sugar Bin

As part of an independent design review, LEC undertook finite element analysis (FEA) and design verification of a 3500-tonne capacity sugar bin.

LEC independently created the finite element model using MSC Patran based on the engineering design drawings of the proposed sugar bin, and the design loads were determined in accordance with the requirements of AS 3774 – Loads on Bulk Solids Containers.

The finite element analyses results were used in the design verification calculations in accordance with the requirements of AS 3990 and AS 4100, and a linear buckling analysis using MSC Nastran was carried out to identify any local member or plate buckling issues present in the proposed bin design.

The FEA results and design verification report were provided by LEC to the client to highlight any components of the sugar bin structure which did not comply with the requirements of the Australian Standards, to enable design modifications to be undertaken prior to fabrication.