Cracking in metal structures of the large dump trucks operating in the Kuzbass coal mines
The article presents the results of monitoring of cracking in metal structures of heavy dump trucks of BelAZ type operating in the Kuzbass coal mines. It examines possible causes of cracks and the spots where crack-like defects may appear when the trucks are operated in the depth of 300 metres and lower. By way of the solid modelling, strength analysis, and the monitoring of the condition of metallic constructions in the production environment, there have been determined the units and elements of the vehicle subjected to the greatest combined stresses. Determined is the dependence of the length of the crack developing in the joins of the crank case with the hydraulic cylinder on the number of loading cycles. The dependence of the stresses arising in the elements of the metal structures of heavy dump trucks operating with various loads on the number of cycles of loads to failures has been presented here.