Experimental Mechanics in Relation to Mining Excavators

The concept of experimental mechanics is considered in relation to mining excavators. A brief history of the experimental mechanics of mining excavators is shown, the founders of the experiment-planning theory are listed. This work is devoted to the problem of choosing the number of full-scale experiments or the recording length for one individual mining excavator when assessing the stress-strain state of one or another of its elements—working equipment (boom, handle, bucket), metal structures of the turntable, working mechanisms, running equipment. The analysis of works devoted to the development of methods for planning the scope of tests at a certain level of the reliability index is carried out. The main disadvantages and advantages of work in the field of planning experiments are highlighted, and an approach is proposed for choosing a reliability indicator when setting the probability of failure-free operation during one cycle of a mining excavator. The problem of developing such methods for planning the scope of tests that would allow to confirm the required reliability of mining excavator elements with the smallest amount of testing is considered. It is shown how many full-scale experiments should be carried out or what should be the duration of continuous recording to assess the stress-strain state of one or another element of a mining excavator. As conclusions, a number of recommendations are proposed in the case when the experimenter, for one reason or another, does not have the opportunity to use any theoretical scheme available to him.