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Evaluation of Whole Body Vibrations from Mine Haul Trucks
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- Author / Creator
- Subasinghe, Isuru
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Research related to Whole Body Vibrations (WBV) within the mining industry has identified adverse effects for human interactions using handheld or operator-mounted instruments. For instances where measurements were taken, haul trucks have indicated major concerns when measured against standards. Currently the regulations for WBV exposure and measurement of WBV are limited due to the requirement of additional measurement equipment, human resources and obstruction to routine mine operations. This research here, focuses on analyzing truck motion parameters derived from suspension strut pressures/forces, against accelerometer measured individual axes of vibration, towards possible development of a WBV measurement system integrated to onboard data monitoring systems. Variations in roll, pitch and Left Front (LF) strut vertical motions, relative to the operator location from an onboard dataset, were analyzed against x, y and z axis vibrations simultaneously recorded using a tri-axial accelerometer. The datasets were analyzed at varying time lengths using a Root Mean Square (RMS) method and a Vibration Dosage Value (VDV), in accordance with ISO2631-1(1997), to calculate equivalent overall acceleration and truck motion parameters. Statistical analysis was carried out to validate data correlations, while data collected from a two secondary field studies were used to verify the initial correlations. A phase analysis of each of the six key parameters further indicated roll, pitch and Left Front (LF) all have a strong correlation during the haul cycle, where the truck is stationary or moving at constant velocity and a negative correlation when the truck is in acceleration or deceleration. When considered for the entire haul cycle, 87% of the time, the Z-axis vibration indicates a strong correlation with the LF strut motion equivalent. The fact that the Z-axis had the dominant vibration for mine haul trucks, based on studies in the literature as well as field studies carried out during this research, the use of LF strut motions for WBV evaluation is solely indicated. Results from this study indicate the possible development of a proactive system applicable for mine haul trucks to continuously measure WBV levels, without disrupting operations. Development of such a WBV measurement system will increase the opportunity for continuous measurements, which will lead to the guidelines regarding WBV to be strictly regulated, to prevent exposures having adverse effects on operator health and safety.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2018
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.