Article

2016, Vol. 45(6) 1619–1634

! The Author(s) 2014

Analysis of the pipe Reprints and permissions:

sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
DOI: 10.1177/1528083714567242
conveyor belt pressure on jit.sagepub.com

the rollers on its circuit

Marcin Barburski

Abstract
Conveyor belts are widely used in almost all industries, agriculture and construction.
They are made of fabric and rubber carcass and rubber covers. Pipe conveyor belts are a
relatively new technology in comparison to the conventional conveyor belts, as they
offer many advantages and additional features. However, one of the main problems
concerning pipe conveyor belts and appearing at the close of the belt is the collapse
of the edges inward. This causes gaping of the belt, which may result in a loss of material
being carried. The main purpose of the performed study was to develop a new woven
structure which would restrict the undesirable effect of collapsing the edges of the pipe
conveyor belt inward. To achieve the main objective, it was pre-determined, how the
weave influences the piping of the belt. Nine fabrics of different weaves were made with
polyester warp and polyamide weft. New position was built as part of the research to
measure the pressure of piped belt on a set of rollers located on its circuit. Analysis of
the results allowed development of the new woven structure with a variable rigidity on
the belt width. In one woven fabric three different weaves were used symmetrically to
its longitudinal axis. The study of the newly designed belt showed that it has better
closing properties and that the effect of collapsing the edges inward was eliminated.

Keywords
Woven fabric, internal structure, bending property of textiles, pipe conveyor belt, pres-
sure on the rollers

Introduction
Conveyor belts are designed for the technological transport of all kinds of bulk
materials and damp which do not cause permanent adherence to the belt and

Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

Corresponding author:
Marcin Barburski, Technical University of Lodz, Institute of Architecture of Textile, 116 Zeromskiego Street,
90-924 Lodz, Poland.
Email: marcin.barburski@p.lodz.pl

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1620 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

conveyor construction elements. These conveyors are applicable wherever it is

necessary to fast and accurately transport materials on the distance specified by
the range of one or more coupled conveyors [1].
Conveyor belts are mostly used in coal mines and minerals, as well as in cement
and lime industry, paper, sugar mills, agriculture, power plants and others [1–3].
The textile conveyor belt is made of fabric and rubber carcass and rubber covers.
The carcass may consist of two to six spacers made of synthetic polyamide and
polyester fabrics impregnated with a solution of latex which provides an intermedi-
ate layer preventing from delamination of fabric and rubber.
More and more often transport strings consisting of short single conveyor belts
are exchanged by long conveyor belts. Such possibilities are obtained not only by
better conveyor belts and drives but also due to the use of curvilinear conveyors
(with curvature in the horizontal plane). The use of conveyor belt transport sig-
nificantly increased after introduction of pipe conveyor belts which enable closing
tightly the material transported [4].
The use of pipe conveyor belts allows the transport of bulk products at a high
angle of inclination over 40 and in systems with curves of small arcs. Piped con-
veyor belt at the same time protects transported material from the weather, which
is very important in view of protecting the environment [5]. The conveyor is
more stable on straight sections and, in particular, on arcs compared to the
trough belts [6].
Conveyor belt at the point of contact with the drive and reverse drums is flat.
Pipe conveyor belt is closed in the work field or return and maintained by a set of
four or six rollers on its circuit [7–13].
Many researchers examine the dynamic properties of conveyor belts [14], the
physical and mechanical properties, the impact of rubber aging on these param-
eters, the shear fatigue strengths [15,16] as well as ways to connect the belts [17]. At
the same time, the adhesion of rubber to reinforcing fabrics is an important aspect
[18]. The properties of the pipe conveyor belt were modelled by finite element
method [19], and their behaviour was presented in a number of references [20–25].
While working, the belt changes its physical and mechanical properties; its struc-
ture is damaged, its size and shape change. Flexible properties of the belt are
degraded while dynamic use. After some time of use, a closed belt does not tend
to take the pipe shape; it is flattened and deformed [26,27].
One of the main problems of pipe conveyor belts appearing at the close of the
belt is the collapse of the edges inward and rotation of the conveyor with respect to
its axis causing gaping of the belt, which may result in a loss of material being
carried.
In recent years, many manufacturers offer special belts for the pipe conveyor
belts of variable rigidity, e.g. of different spacers width Figure 1b, c and d, variable
scale of strings, variable diameter of strings or other combinations of the elements
forming the carcass [28]. Typically, a special belt for the conveyor consists of three
zones of different rigidity: the central zone, symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of
the conveyor belt and two, also symmetrically arranged, edge zones of enhanced or

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1621

Figure 1. (a) Pipe conveyor belt, (b), (c) and (d) Examples of pipe conveyor belts structures of
different bending rigidity on their width [7,32].

reduced rigidity compared to the central part [29–31]. Figure 1 shows examples of
carcass structures in pipe conveyor belts.
A varied bending rigidity on the width is to facilitate piping of the conveyor belt
with an overlap equal to half of the diameter (Figure 1(a)).
The appropriate rigidity of pipe conveyor belts is obtained by a combination of
fabric and steel transverse reinforcements. The steel cord belting has a stepped
transverse reinforcing cord usually made of nylon fabric. The bending rigidity
and the form force of the pipe conveyor have a great influence on its piping,
wear and tear, as well as running resistance and stability of pipe conveyor [33,34].
In order to eliminate differences in the forces acting on several layers of the belt
carcass, resulting from the position of the fabric in the belt cross-section, on its
thickness, one-spacer conveyor belt was modelled.
Weaving process enables modelling the internal structure of the fabric at the
very beginning of its formation. Variety of weaves provides possibilities to form
the surface of the fabric in order to obtain the best satisfactory properties of the
product. This involves both the appearance of the fabric and functional properties
of the product. Fabric structure influences a number of qualities such as appear-
ance, smoothness, air permeability, drape, heat insulation, waterproof [35–41].
The main purpose of the performed study was to develop a new woven structure
which would restrict the undesirable effect of collapsing the edges of the pipe con-
veyor belt inward. To achieve the main objective, it was pre-determined, how the
weave influences the piping of the belt.

Material
Nine samples of fabrics were made which varied in weaves although each of them
had the same setts of polyester warp and polyamide 6.6 weft (Table 1). The
research was used to classify the weaves according to the bending rigidity of fabrics
and length of thread float. This was the criterion of weaves diversity. Fabrics were
made of different weaves with PES 2200  4/60 warp (four threads of 2200 Tex
twisted together with 60 twist/m), 120/dm sett and PA6.6 1400  5/90 weft (five
threads of 1400 Tex twisted together with 90 twist/m) of 33/dm sett. The weft sett

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1622 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

Table 1. Weaves of particular fabrics and their bending rigidity (G).

was defined empirically as a maximum sett of wefting for the plain weave on
Dornier loom. The width of fabric was 100 cm.
The fabrics were made in ‘Metso Fabrics’ company in Lodz on Dornier loom
with harness machine. The chosen and produced fabrics have the following weaves:
(A) plain weave; (B) twill weave; (C) twill cross weave; (D) satin weave; (E and H)
warp rep weave; (F and G) weft rep weave; (K) satin weave with higher density of
weft (Table 1). The areal density was about 1530  15 g/m2 except for weft rep
weave (F, G) and satin weave with higher density (K), where it was 1650  30 g/m2.
These weaves easily enable grouping the warp threads. The measurements of bending
rigidity of nine raw fabrics showed that bending rigidity of the fabric along warp and
weft depends on the weave (Table 1) and on the length of coverings of the threads set.
The number of thread floats also influences bending rigidity. The more the intersec-
tions in a set, the higher the bending rigidity in the set. In plain and weft rep weaves of
large number of warp intersections (A, F, G), bending rigidity of fabric is the largest.
In weaves with long coverings of warp and weft, bending rigidity of fabrics is lower
(twill weave B, C, satin weave D) (Table 1).
The fabric after weaving goes to vulcanisation and becomes a conveyor belt
[42,43]. The fabrics are positioned in warp direction on the belt.
The analysis of measurements of the transverse flexibility according to EN ISO
703 of the conveyor belts proves that the higher bending rigidity of woven fabric,
the lower its transverse flexibility. The minimum value of these parameters for belt
F was 0.378  0.002 and maximum value of transverse flexibility for belt D was
0.392  0.003, which corresponds with bending rigidity of woven fabric.

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1623

Figure 2. Schema of the device to measure pressure forces of the pipe conveyor belt on the set
of rollers (a) entire device, (b) the six movable rollers.

Experiment
A special device was built to measure the pressure of piped belt on six rollers
located on its circuit. Depending on the rigidity of the textile and rubber composite,
forces may vary from 0 N to 8000 N.
Textile and rubber composites formed in a pipe with a length of approximately
4.5 m, held up with a construction on both sides of the measuring device, were
subjected to measurement of pressure forces on six rollers on its circuit. The pipe
shape was observed by placing the belt in the additional sets of rollers on both sides
of the measurement device (Figure 2). For the conditions used, measurement accur-
acy of the instruments is in class 1 according to EN 10002-2. Fault in indicating and
recording the maximum force at each point of the range does not exceed  1%. The
accuracy of measurement methods and measurement results is consistent with the
standard PN-ISO 5725.
The measuring device consists of two parts: mechanical and electronic. The
mechanical part is mainly a frame with six movable rollers (Figure 2(a)). These
rollers are made of steel and may rotate around their own axes. The roller diameter
is 89 mm and the width is 110 mm. The electronic part is a force sensor in a set of
one roller.
This set is removable and enables assembling it in six different positions
(Figure 2(b)). The measurement is static and stored in a portable electronic rec-
ording unit with the ability to rip the data on the computer.
In addition, three sets of rollers can change the position so that they move
on a small radius of the curve (50 m) in the horizontal plane. Moving the central
module corresponds to the proper radiuses of curves in the horizontal plane
(Table 2).

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1624 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

Table 2. The relationship between moving the central set about the axis of the
measuring device and the curve radius of the belt curvature in the horizontal plane.

Moving of the Curve radius in the

central set (cm) horizontal plane (m)

0.5 400
1 200
2 100
4 50

Figure 3. (a) The device to measure pressure forces of the pipe conveyor belt on the set of
rollers. (b) The photo of the pipe conveyor belt not touching the top, first roller. (c) The pipe
conveyor belt with the edges collapsed inward.

After rolling the belt, always the same edge was fitted on the second. The test
was repeated three times for each conveyor belt. Except for collecting the meas-
urement data, there were also pictures taken.

Measurement results and discussion

Analysis of results and photos taken during the measurements clearly shows the
diversity of piping manners of the belts depending on the weave of fabric carcass.
The trend to taking the shape of pipe, which is the actual transverse rigidity of the
belt (along weft threads), affects the pressure forces acting on particular rollers. In
all conveyor belts tested, collapse of the edges inward was observed (Figure 3),
which is the most common problem for users of such belts.
These observations are reflected in the research on the belt pressure on a set of
rollers where the top rollers 1 and 2 were not loaded. In this case, total weight of
the conveyor belt was arranged on the other four rollers.
Analysis of the results of the forces distribution on the pipe circuit showed,
among other things, that high rigidity of fabric A (plain weave) and F, G (weft
rep weave) affects low flexibility of the belt, which results in that roller 4 (in the
bottom) is less loaded compared to rollers 3 and 5 (Figure 4(a)).

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1625

Figure 4. Charts of the distribution of pressure forces on individual rollers for fabrics A and C
on the right side showing the influence of the belt rigidity on that distribution.

Figure 5. The distribution of forces on a roller when changing the radius of the curvature arc of
the belt 400 to 50 m on the example of belt D. (a) roller 3 on the outside of the arc, (b) roller 5 on
the inside of the arc and (c) roller 4 in the bottom.

Belts of high flexibility (C, D, E, H), in which reinforcing fabrics have low
rigidity (twill and satin weaves) (Table 1) [44] show the greatest load of roller 4
(bottom) (Figure 4(b)). Depending on the belt, roller 4 was more or less loaded to
rollers 3 and 5. For fabrics B and K, force distribution on rollers 3, 4, 5 was almost
the same 46  5 N.
Belts arrange asymmetrically in a set of rollers, because there is always an over-
lap of one end on the other, which causes the asymmetry. On rollers 1 and 2, they
were not loaded at all, and on roller 6 (symmetrical to 2) forces were small about
5 N.
Another type of measurement was the analysis of how the belt affects rollers on
the arcs. Shifting the middle set of rollers relative to the outside sets allowed con-
ducting measurements of the belt pressure on the rollers at different radii of the
arcs.
Reducing the radius of the curvature arc horizontally causes the pressure
increase on the rollers on the inside of the arc (Figure 5(a)). Changing the radius
results in a significant decrease of the pressure on roller 3 (outside the arc) and an
increase on rollers 5 and 6 (inside the arc). The trend is clearly visible in belts H or
D (Figure 5). Change of the radius actually does not change the pressure on the
bottom roller (4) (Figure 5(c)).

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1626 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

The value of pressure changes when changing the arc is different depending on
the weave—for fabric D, the changes are significantly higher than in the case of
fabric A which has much larger rigidity [44]. This is due to differences in the
bending rigidity of the individual fabrics, and, as a result, conveyor belts. For
belts of low transverse flexibility and high bending rigidity of fabrics, the arc
change did not significantly affect the change of pressure on rollers 3 and 5. For
belts of high transverse flexibility and low bending rigidity of fabrics, changing the
radius of the arc, statistically significant, caused differentiation of the pressure on
rollers 3 and 5. For elastic belts, the greatest pressure was on roller 4 and the arc
change caused that these belts charged more roller 5 and relieved roller 3. For
belts of high rigidity, the pressure was statistically higher on rollers 3 and 5 com-
pared to 4, which resulted in statistically insignificant pressure change during the
arc change.
What can be clearly stated is that the weave of the belt carcass affects its rigidity,
which results in different pressure forces on the rollers. In contrast, the rubber
which is the same in each belt does not eliminate the differences of mechanical
properties of fabrics [44].
The results of the analysis of the bending rigidity of the fabrics and the pressure
forces on the rollers on the pipe circuit allowed to design a new woven structure.
Combining the above analysis with the previous analysis presented in the article
[44] enabled the development of a new woven structure.

Formation of the new woven structure of variable bending rigidity on its width
symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the belt
The idea that guided this research was to develop such a woven structure to vary
the bending rigidity of the belt on its width. Using the information about the
existing pipe conveyor belts, it was decided to shape differences in belt rigidity
symmetrically to its longitudinal axis.
Analysis of the mechanical properties of fabrics and conveyor belts with
reinforcement based on these fabrics [44] and analysis of belts pressure on the
rollers on the pipe circuit both allowed to optimize individual sections of the belt
on its width to retain the belt in a predefined manner.
A fabric and a belt were produced of the same width of 100 cm, as nine fabrics
described earlier. Taking into account the overlap of the radius length, the pipe
circuit is 86.4 cm of radius 13.7 cm.
The belt was divided into three different sections symmetrically to its longitu-
dinal axis to vary its bending rigidity on the circuit (on the belt width). Individual
fragments of the belt were made in a single weaving process of one fabric but
different weaves.
Half of the circle circuit was divided into three arcs: (A) 45 , (B) 90 and (C) 45 .
This division is symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the belt. The last arc was
extended by half the circle radius because of the belt overlap, i.e. C0 28.66
(Figure 6).

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1627

Figure 6. Division of half of the piped belt into elements (a) 45 , (b) 90 , (c) 45 , (c0 ) 28.66 .

Table 3. Weaves applied in a new woven structure.

New woven fabric (N.A) New woven fabric (N.B) New woven fabric (N.CC’)

Satin weave Back weft weave Warp rep weave

1 On the basis of twill 1

( 3) (0,0,0,1,0,0,0)
7 1
weaves 1/3 and 3/1

It is provided to divide half of the circle in three parts, because the arc length of
variable rigidity must be sufficient for weaves used in particular fragments to have
an actual and effective impact on the belt rigidity.
Such division of the circuit, the width of the belt due to the rigidity of the
individual elements preferably affects the belt drape, i.e. the edges do not collapse
inward of a closed pipe, while an easy formation of the trough.
Careful analysis of the effect of weaves on fabrics rigidity as well as on transverse
flexibility of the belts and belts pressure on a set of rollers allowed to assign the
following weaves to the arcs.
Arc A beginning in the middle of the belt is made with light satin 8-thread weave
(Table 3). Low rigidity of the fabric/belt causes that the belt easily takes the trough

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1628 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

shape, which is very important for all belts, particularly the pipe ones. Weft threads
of long interlaces do not cause internal stresses in the fabric during piping of the
belt. At the same time, the warp, which also has long interlaces, has a relatively
small crimp, small deflection and is more upright in comparison to other weaves.
Consequently, the forces acting along the belt act along the yarns, which results in
better mechanical properties such as high tensile strength and low strain [44].
Arc B has weave of the fabric reinforced with back weft. The main objective of
this section is to strengthen the belt structure on this arc of the circle. Back weft
weave has a compact structure of high rigidity, which results in spontaneous
unfolding of the belt. The forces acting on that rigid element, located at this
point of the circle act centrifugally on the belt, which contributes to a better belt
adhesion to the rollers.
The last fragment consisting of arcs C and C0 is woven with a rep weave 1/1
pitch 0001000. This weave does not prevent building up of threads in part B of the
belt. It is rigid enough so that the edges of the belt do not collapse inward while
facilitating smooth closing it. The warp in this weave has long interlaces, which is
advantageous for the belt strength. The measurements of the belt made for this
weave show that its transverse flexibility is similar to the belt of plain weave (low),
however, considerably exceeding strength along the warp and weft [44].
A new woven structure was designed with standard Dornier loom with elec-
tronic dobby able to control 20 harnesses. The individual pieces of fabric have
weaves: satin, back weft and warp-rep (Table 3). Weaving of this fabric did not
require any investment costs. The most complicated thing was a method of draw-
ing-in harnesses because they were not typical, in sequence, but modified, depend-
ent on weaves.
While various weaves were decided to be implemented on the fabric width,
unconventional way of threading the harnesses should be applied. Satin weave is
designed for eight harnesses, back weft weave for four harnesses and warp-rep
weave for the next four. The remaining four harnesses are designed for selvage.
The weaving parameters were the same as during the previously made nine tests,
i.e. fabric with warp PES 2200  4/60 (four threads of 2200 Tex twisted together
with 60 twist/m) and sett 120 threads/dm and weft PA6.6 1400  5/90 (five threads
of 1400 Tex twisted together with 90 twist/m) and sett 43 threads/dm and weaving
width 118 cm with reed 30 blades/dm, four threads between the blades.
After making, the newly designed woven structure was impregnated with latex in
order to improve the rubber adhesion and vulcanized in the same way and with the
same parameters as the previous belts. Finally, the belt was made of the width of
100 cm with protectors 2 þ 2 and thickness of 7.3 mm (Figure 7).

Experimental verification of the new belt

After the implementation of the newly designed woven structure, the following
parameters were measured: sett of warp and weft, thickness of the fabrics in dif-
ferent parts depending on the weave and transverse flexibility of the new belt

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1629

Warp rep weave Back weft weave Satin weave Back weft weave Warp rep weave

Figure 7. New woven structure covered with latex (upper part) with the vulcanized element.

Table 4. Results of measurements of different parts of the new woven structure and transverse
flexibility of the belt.

N satin (N.A) N back weft (N.B) N rep (N.CC0 )

Thickness (mm) 2.51 2.83 2.28

Sett of weft (Threads/dm) 44 44 44
Sett of warp (Threads/dm) 153 136 128
Transverse flexibility 0.388  0.003

according to ISO 703: 2007 (Conveyor belts—Transverse flexibility

(troughability)—Test method). The data are presented in Table 4.
Warp sett was different within one fabric. In satin weave, where there are long
interlaces, warp could build up increasing its sett. Weft sett was the same for all
parts of the fabric.
Maximum thickness was observed for the part woven with back weft weave.
This is due to the construction of the weave. Satin weave, where weft threads do
not build up, had lower thickness. Warp tends to group and lay on the surface of
the fabric. The smallest thickness was in the case of rep weave.
The value of transverse flexibility of the new belt is in upper limits compared to
the results of the previous nine belts [44]. This may mean that this belt will tend to
take the trough shape spontaneously.
Since the strength along warp exceeds 550 N/mm, the new belt can be classified
with full responsibility as a minimum belt EP550, which was a benchmark and
reference point while designing the fabric.
Measurements of the pressure of piped, newly designed belt on a set of rollers
located on its circuit were made. Analysis of the measurement results and photos
taken during the experiment indicates that the new piped belt tends to maintain its

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1630 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

Figure 8. Piping of the new belt (a) View on the rollers, (b) View on the cross section of the
pipe conveyor belt.

Figure 9. Distribution of pressure forces of the new belt on the rollers on its circuit.

shape and the edges do not collapse inward (Figure 8). The belt puts pressure on all
the rollers on the circuit (Figure 9), which will certainly contribute to its longer
durability. More even distribution of pressure forces on the belt circuit is beneficial
for reducing the destructive forces acting when the belt charges only the bottom
rollers, as it was in the case of nine belts tested previously (Figure 4).
Analysis of the changes in the belt pressure on the rollers while reducing the
radius of the arc curvature in the horizontal plane shows that for roller 3 (on
the outside) pressure changes are within statistical error. The increase in pressure
of the belt is more visible for rollers 4 (bottom), and 5 (on the inside of the arc)
(Figure 10). These results show that new conveyor belt combines higher transverse
flexibility and lower rigidity of the nine previous fabrics. For roller 3 (on the out-
side), the changes of pressure forces are not statistically important as for belts of
low transverse flexibility (A, F) but the pressure increases on roller 5 (inside the
arc), as it was for belts of high transverse flexibility (D) (Figure 5(b)).
In summary, it can be assumed that the objective of the work was achieved by
changing weaves of the fabric on its width in 1-spacer belt, which results in that the

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1631

Figure 10. Distribution of forces on roller 3 (a) (on the outside of the arc), roller 4 (c)
(bottom) and roller 5 (b) (on the inside of the arc) while changing the radius of the arc curvature
of the new belt from 400 to 50 m.

belt edges do not collapse inward while maintaining high transverse flexibility and
better closing properties.
The structure of the fabric along the belt axis is formed so as to achieve a high
degree of flexibility, thereby minimizing the internal stresses while returning of the
belt on the end rollers of the conveyor. Such structure of the belts paves the way for
new possibilities of their design.

Conclusions
The problem of conveyor belts has been studied and developed for many years;
however, manufacturers are still working on new structure possibilities of pipe
conveyor belts. One of the problems with the existing solutions is collapsing the
edges of the belt inward.
There were made fabrics being reinforcement for 1-spacer conveyor belts. A
study of mechanical and structural properties of these belts was conducted [44].
This paper presents the results of measurements of pressure that the piped belts
exert on a set of rollers located on their circuit and their transverse flexibility. The
following conclusions were drawn on the basis of the first part of the study:

. High rigidity of the fabric affects low flexibility of the belt, resulting in that the
bottom roller is less loaded compared to the side rollers.
. Belts of high flexibility, in which reinforcing fabrics have low rigidity, are char-
acterized by the highest load of the bottom roller.
. Reducing the radius of the belt arc increases pressure on the rollers on the inside
of the arc and decreases it on the outside.

Careful analysis of the obtained results allowed modelling a new woven struc-
ture of variable bending rigidity symmetrically to its longitudinal axis by selection
of appropriate weaves. Production of the fabric, its vulcanization and making the
belt of innovative construction allowed a positive verification of the assumptions.
The conveyor belt was made with a possibility to take a pipe shape and close
whose edges do not tend to collapse inward. Its construction allows to minimise the
stresses generated in the structure at the moment of return of the conveyor belt by

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1632 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

eliminating multiple spacers and gaining high transverse flexibility. One-spacer belt
has minimal thickness, which reduces its weight, thus reducing the resistance move-
ment while scrolling the belt through the drums. What is also very important is that
during production of this new type of woven fabric any investment costs were not
necessary.
This solution is an important step in improving the belts in the industry, which
will help to better protect the material carried by the belt from weather conditions
such as rain and wind, thus taking care of the environment.
In addition, the idea of forming different mechanical properties within one
fabric through the implementation of different weaves on its width could spread
to other areas of industry in which there is such demand.

Acknowledgements
Conveyor Belts Factory Wolbrom S.A. is kindly acknowledged for delivering the materials
and producing new belt. Special thanks to Marek Gardela for useful cooperation. Metso
Fabrics Lodz is acknowledged for help in production of woven fabrics.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, author-
ship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, author-
ship, and/or publication of this article: The work was funded by National Science Centre
(Poland), Project 3215/B/T02/2011/40.

References
[1] Mazurkiewicz D. Analysis of the ageing impact on the strength of the adhesive sealed
joints of conveyor belts. J Mater Process Technol 2008; 208: 477–485.
[2] Antoniak J. Belt Conveyors. Introduction to the Theory and Calculations. Gliwice:
Publishing House of the Silesian Technical University, 2004.
[3] Antoniak J. Underground transport facilities and system in coalmines. Katowice: Slask
Publishers, 1976.
[4] Vaka GA. Pipe conveyors—development and advantages. Bulk Solids Handl 1998; 3:
451–455.
[5] Ansari AH. Pipe conveyors advantages. Chem Eng World 2005; 10: 47–49.
[6] Will F and Staribacher J. Pipe conveyors transport bulk material efficiently over long
distances. Rohrgurtförderer transportieren Schüttgut effizient über lange Strecken 2011; 3:
146–155.
[7] Gladysiewicz L. Conveyors belt—theory and calculations. Wroclaw: Oficyna Wydawnicza
Politechniki Wroclawskiej, 2003.
[8] De SK and White JR. Rubber Technologist’s Handbook. iSmithers Rapra Publishing,
576, ISBN: 978-1-85957-440-9.
[9] Storch T. Conveyor, in particular, a pipe conveyor. Patent PCT/EP2005/011117, 2005.

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

Barburski 1633

[10] Sakaguchi T and Imai A. Conveyor belt for pipe conveyor and pipe conveyor equip-
ment using the conveyor belt. Patent PCT/JP2002/012809, 2002.
[11] Furukawa K and Nishikita Y. Pipe conveyor belt deformation state detector. Patent
PCT/JP2008/054136, 2008.
[12] Karpisek LS. A tubular conveyor. Patent PCT/AU1985/000071, 1985.
[13] Bernhardt R. Belt support for pipe conveyor. Patent PCT/EP2005/011116, 2005.
[14] Hou Yf and Meng QR. Dynamic characteristics of conveyor belts. J China Univ Min
Technol 2008; 18: 629–633.
[15] Blazej R and Hardygora M. Modeling of shear stresses in multiply belt splices. Bulk
Solids Handl 2003; 4: 234–241.
[16] Kozhushko GG and Kopnov VA. Fatigue strength functions in shear loading of fabric
conveyor belts. Int J Fatigue 1995; 17: 539–544.
[17] Langebrake F, Klein J and Gronau O. Non-destructive testing of steel–cord conveyor
belts. Bulk Solids Handl 1998; 4: 565–569.
[18] Sarkar PP, et al. Studies on adhesion between rubber and fabric and rubber and rubber
in heat resistant conveyor belt. Int J Adhes Adhes 1989; 9: 26–32.
[19] Schilling O, Westerwald M and Wiedenroth J. Abaqus FE analysis of a pipe
conveyor using solids with embedded truss elements and shells with rebar layers.
In: NAFEMS seminar simulating composite materials and structures. Germany: Bad
Kissingen, 2007.
[20] Kulagin DS. Establishment of bending radius of the tubular conveyor in the horizontal
plane by modelling on the computer. Min Inform Anal Bull (SciTech J) 2009; 16:
114–129.
[21] Kartaviy AN. Comparative rating of steeply inclined belt conveyors. Min Inform Anal
Bull (Sci Tech J) 2009; 16: 98–113.
[22] Egorov AP. Definition of longitudinal critical speed size of vertical fluctuations of a
tubular conveyor’s belt. Min Inform Anal Bull (Sci Tech J) 2009; 16: 138–143.
[23] Dmitriev VG and Sergeeva NV. Tractive calculation of belt tubular conveyors. Min
Inform Anal Bull (Sci Tech J) 2009; 16: 144–169.
[24] Papoyan RL. Conveyor belts of foreign manufacture for coal and mining enterprises.
Min Inform Anal Bull (Sci Tech J) 2009; 16: 78–97.
[25] Dmitriev VG and Efimov MS. Estimation and way of decrease of belt’s angular deflec-
tion of a tubular conveyor at rotary movement. Min Inform Anal Bull (Sci Tech J)
2009; 16: 31–53.
[26] Fedorko G, Molnar V, Zivcak J, et al. Failure analysis of textile rubber conveyor belt
damaged by dynamic wear. Eng Fail Anal 2013; 28: 103–114.
[27] Lihua Z. Typical failure analysis and processing of belt conveyor. Procedia Eng 2011;
26: 942–946.
[28] Z_ ur Tadeusz. Belt conveyors in mining. Katowice: Slask, 1979.
[29] del Coz Diaz JJ, Garcia Nieto PJ, Vilan Vilan JA, et al. Nonlinear analysis and warping
of tubular pipe conveyors by the finite element method. Math Comput Modell 2007; 46:
95–108.
[30] Schmidt H, Cieślak M and Kamińska I. Effect of strengthening the structure of the
spacer 3-D composites. Composite 2002; 5: 309–312.
[31] Hou M, Ye L and Wing MY. Advances in processing of continuous fibre reinforced
composites with thermoplastic matrix plastics. Rubber Compos Process Appl 1995; 23:
279–293.

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016

1634 Journal of Industrial Textiles 45(6)

[32] Lodewijks G. Research and development in closed belt conveyor systems. Bulk Solids
Handl 2000; 20: 465–470.
[33] Xiaoxia S, Wenjun M, Hui Z, et al. Analysis on the bending stiffness and the form force
of the pipe conveyor belt. Sens Trans J 2013; 161: 655–660.
[34] Minkin A, Jungk A, Hontscha T, et al. Belt replacement at a long distance pipe con-
veyor at the skyline mine, pipe conveyor technology. Process Worldwide http://
www.process-worldwide.com (accessed 01 October 2014).
[35] Snycerski M and Frontczak-Wasiak I. Assessment of transversal deformation of multi-
axial woven fabrics stretched one-directionally. Fibres Text East Eur 2006; 2: 29–33.
[36] Barburski M and Masajtis J. Modelling of the change of structure of woven fabric
under mechanical loading. Fibres Text East Eur 2009; 1: 39–45.
[37] Szosland J. Structure of woven fabrics. Lodz: PAN, 2007.
[38] Szosland J. Fundamentals of construction and wove fabric technology. Warszawa: WNT,
1991.
[39] Masajtis J. Building and design of textiles. Lodz: Technical University of Lodz, 1991.
[40] Masajtis J. Analyze of woven fabric structure. Lodz: PAN (in Polish), 1999.
[41] Z_ urek W and Kopias K. Structure of textiles. Warszawa: WNT, 1983.
[42] Barburski M and Drozdz T. Bending rigidity of woven fabric relating to its weave. In:
XI international conference IMTEX, 7–8 November 2011, pp.159–164, Lodz, Poland.
[43] Barburski M. Influence of woven fabrics on the transverse flexibility of conveyor belts.
In: 13th Autex World textile conference, 22–24 May 2013, Dresden, Germany.
[44] Barburski M. Analysis of the mechanical properties of conveyor belts on the three main
stages of production. J Ind Text 2014; DOI: 10.1177/1528083714559567.

Downloaded from jit.sagepub.com at University of New England on June 5, 2016