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Conveyor Slopes

Reference data and engineering information about conveyor slopes for mechanics applications.

conveyorslopes

Overview

Engineering reference data for Conveyor Slopes in mechanics.

Key Formulas

Newton's Second Law

F=maF = ma

Force = mass × acceleration.

Work

W=FdcosθW = Fd\cos\theta

Work = force × displacement × cos(angle).

Kinetic Energy

Ek=12mv2E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2

Energy of motion.

Potential Energy

Ep=mghE_p = mgh

Gravitational potential energy.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
FFForceN
mmMasskg
aaAccelerationm/s²
vvVelocitym/s

Maximum Conveyor Slope Angles

44 rows
Selected maximum recommended conveyor slopes for bulk materials. The full list from the engineering reference contains over 140 materials.
Material
Maximum Slope(°)
Acid phosphate13
Alum22
Alumina - sized or briquette10
Aluminum sulphate17
Ammonium chloride10
Ammonium nitrate23
Anthracite coal16
Asbestos ore rock18
Asbestos shred30
Asphalt30
Bauxite - ground dried23
Bauxite - mine run17
Beans7
Borax20
Carbon black, pelleted5
Cement - Clinker20
Cement - loose22
Chalk < 100 mesh28
Clay - dry lump loose21
Coal - bituminous slake20
Coal - run of mine18
Coke - screened18
Concrete - 6 inch slump12
Concrete - 4 inch slump20
Concrete - 2 inch slope25
Corn, shelled10
Earth - loose20
Earth - moist19
Flour16.5
Gravel - sized & washed12
Gravel - unsized19
Gypsum - ground27
Iron ore - limonite28
Kaolin - pulverized32
Lime - fine29
Limestone - pulverized34
Mica - ground23
Packages - wrapped on ribflex belts35
Sand - dry16
Sand - damp moist20
Shale26
Sugar, raw cane22
Vermiculite, expanded23
Woodchips27

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Slope & Angle Relationships

The slope of a conveyor can be described in three common ways. Let RiseRise be the vertical height gained and RunRun be the horizontal distance traveled.

1. Slope Ratio (S): S=RiseRunS = \frac{Rise}{Run} This is a dimensionless ratio (e.g., 1:4).

2. Grade (G): G=RiseRun×100%G = \frac{Rise}{Run} \times 100\% Expressed as a percentage (e.g., 25%).

3. Slope Angle (θ): The angle of inclination relative to the horizontal is calculated using the inverse tangent function. θ=arctan(RiseRun)\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{Rise}{Run}\right)

Tools & Resources

For practical estimation, an Inclination Chart is often used. To use it:

  1. Measure the horizontal run and vertical rise of your conveyor installation.
  2. Use these values to find the corresponding angle on a pre-drawn slope chart.

Download or print a standard inclination chart from engineering references for field use.

Interactive Charts

conveyor slopes

References