Numerical and experimental analysis of a mine's loader boom crack

The main purposes of the paper are to discuss designing problems of machines used in underground mining and investigation of its reasons based on cracked boom of underground mine machine. Numerical and experimental approach was considered. The finite element method was used for numerical simulation. Fractographic and microscopic evaluation, chemical analysis, hardness tests were used to perform material evaluations. The objectives are achieved by numerical simulation of cracked loader boom, material evaluations of specimens and comparison of results achieved from both approaches. These were determined through a numerical experiment, based on a discrete model of the jib boom and predefined boundary conditions. The finite element analysis for the jib boom provided information about stress distribution for extreme load conditions. The study included macroscopic and fractographic inspection, microscopic evaluation as well as hardness tests of the material used for the jib boom. Conclusions from both approaches were drawn then.