Theoretical substantiation of the parameters of the concrete batching plant feeding system for stabilising the mass flow rate of moist materials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26906/znp.2026.66.4352Keywords:
concrete batching plant, loosening device, arching, cohesion, moisture content, batching, hopper, mass flow rate, angular velocity, material flowAbstract
The article presents a theoretical substantiation of the parameters of the feeding system of a concrete batching plant for stabilising the mass flow rate of moist fine aggregate with a particle size of 0–5 mm. It has been established that, at a sand moisture content of W ≥ 4–6%, the standard hopper geometry with a wall inclination angle of α = 60° does not ensure mass flow according to the Jenike criterion, resulting in the formation of dynamic arches and a pulsating material discharge with a coefficient of variation of CV = 15–25%. A scientific hypothesis is proposed that the flow regime can be converted from funnel flow to mass flow by artificially reducing the effective internal friction angle below its critical value through the mechanical disruption of capillary bonds using an active loosening device with a horizontal shaft and pins arranged at 90° angular intervals. Based on the theory of limit equilibrium and the Janssen equation incorporating cohesion, an analytical model describing the formation of dynamic arches was developed, and a design equation for the critical angular velocity (ωcr) was derived. An integrated mathematical model of the material mass flow rate was also established. It was found that, at an operating angular velocity of ωop ≥ 2.5ωcr, the coefficient of variation of the mass flow rate reaches CVQ ≤ 3% for W ≤ 6%, satisfying the requirements of
DSTU B V.2.7-96:2000.
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