MHCL 2026 conference
50th Anniversary (1976–2026)

Section: Hoisting and Conveying Equipment and Technologies
Abstract: The study is to quantify the pressure distribution caused by bulk material on a loaded conveyor belt using a tactile pressure sensor. The pressure distribution is important for the engineering design of conveyor belts, and the verification of theoretical models. Tactile pressure sensors have been proven to produce acceptable measurements of the pressure on loaded belts for scientific purpose. However, the accuracy of the measurements needs to be improved. A re-arrangement and post-process scheme is developed. Comparisons of the processed data and measurements from a conveyor scale shows that the scheme largely improves the accuracy We distinguish and compare the pressure on the wing belt sections and the centre belt section. The transversal distribution of the normal pressure in active and passive stress states are also presented and analyzed. The findings are applicable to analyze the belt load-bearing capability and to verify theoretical research on the pressure caused by the bulk material on a loaded conveyor belt. 

Xiangwei Liu
PhD Researcher
Delft University of Technology
Section Transport Engineering & Logistics

Yusong Pang
Assistant Professor
Delft University of Technology
Section Transport Engineering & Logistics

Gabriel Lodewijks
Professor
Delft University of Technology
Section Transport Engineering & Logistics

Craig Wheeler
Associate Professor
The University of Newcastle
Centre of Bulk Solids & Particulate technologies

Brendan Beh
Engineer
The University of Newcastle
Centre of Bulk Solids & Particulate technologies