Simulation of the frequency response of the ERC 1400 Bucket Wheel Excavator boom, during the excavation process

The paper deals with the modal analysis and frequency response analysis of a bucket wheel excavator (BWE) boom, obtained by simulation, based on a virtual model of an existing BWE boom. The boom, which generally is realized as a spatial truss, is the most vulnerable subsystem of the BWE, being submitted to severe operational loads characterized by very pronounced cyclical, dynamic and stochastic variability. This vulnerability is the consequence of its shape and constructive parameters and the nature, source and character of the external exciting loads to which it is exposed. The classical approach recommended by standards and norms cannot predict the occurrence of failures caused by vibration, which produces fatigue due to the load’s cyclical variability and the deformation produced by resonant vibration of some constitutive elements. As exciting load we considered the operational forces acting on the bucket wheel. In this manner we can take into account the constructive features - with modal analysis, and the vibration regime - with frequency response analysis. The proposed method is useful both in the design phase of new load-bearing structures of truss type subjected to high-variability forces, and also in refurbishment or improvement phases of the existing structures of this kind.