The strength problems in the operation of drum hoist cages

From information obtained from periodic surveys of cages used in the shaft of one of the Polish mines, it appears that the majority of registered damages of their supporting elements are fatigue cracks. These cracks are formed and develop mainly in main nodes or welds in the areas of their connection with the construction of the cage. In order to eliminate the causes of these damages and to increase the durability of cages, it will probably be necessary to reconstruct those fragments of the cages in which they occur. In order to determine loadings of load-bearing elements and the state of stress that arises in them during the operation of the device, a numerical model of the cage was developed. The results of the calculations made as well as their analysis form the basis for the assessment of the strength and durability of the load-bearing elements of the discussed cage. The key problem determining the durability of the structure – as shown by the analyzes carried out – is the method of constructing the connection of the strings with the appropriate elements of the cage. Changing this state requires significant structural changes of these nodes, which the authors of this study pointed out.