Load analysis of trestle leg conveyor support structures buried in stockpiles

The paper presents a theory, combined with design equations, to compute the loads on structural elements, in particular those of trestle legs of tubular construction supporting load-out belt conveyors, where the trestle legs are substantially buried in gravity reclaim stockpiles. The stress conditions, both active and passive, that arise during filling and reclaim are examined taking into account the position of the trestle supports with respect to the load out conveyor discharge during filling, and reclaim hoppers during draw-down. The theory examines the various loading conditions due to the stored bulk solids focusing on the determination of the lateral or bending load distribution on the trestle support legs. The compressive, in-plane shear traction loads which may influence the buckling effect in the buried legs are also examined.