Point load-deformation relationships and design of jaw crusher plates

Efforts to decrease energy consumed in crushing have lead to consideration of decreasing the weight of the swing plate of jaw crushers for easily crushed material. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the feasibility of using point load-deformation-failure (PDF) relationships along with interactive failure of rock particles as a model for such a weight reduction. PDF relationships were determined by point-loading various sizes of materials: concrete mortar, two types of limestone, amphibolite and taconite. A comparison of swing plate behavior, calculated with the traditional non-interactive and the new interactive failure models, shows that some 15 - 20% savings in plate weight may be possible.