Open Cut » Maintenance & Equipment
Dragline Booms are commonly cited as one of the highest risk assemblies in open cut mining operations. Most operations incorporate a rigorous NDT regime for dragline booms to ensure that risk of in-service boom failure is properly managed.
This project aims to add value to existing NDT regimes through the application of StressVision - a cutting-edge technology for measuring residual stresses in ferrous materials.
It is envisaged that the application of the StressVision technology can reduce the risk of in-service boom failure and increase crack repair quality through a better understanding of residual stresses in booms. This technology also has significant replication potential for other mining applications, for example, fixed plant, yard machinery and HME chassis.
A series of experiments are described in this report. While the objective of each experiment was unique, the overall aim is to develop a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the device in the context of dragline booms.
Based on the results of experimentation, a set of specific applications of this technology to dragline booms is proposed and discussed. While the device has limitations, there is certainly real potential for applications such as the determination of stress relieving effectiveness, Fitness for Purpose assessments and the validation of Finite Element Analysis modelling. Conversely, it is felt that other applications such as using StressVision as a flaw detection tool in booms is not feasible, particularly given the availability and effectiveness of traditional and automated NDT technologies, such as Time of Flight Diffraction.