Control systems on mobile equipment have advanced greatly in recent years and large SCADA datasets are available to analyse the machine performance. ASPEC has been processing and translating the SCADA data into engineering information, which is then used to carry out machine health checks to validate machine performance as part of asset management reviews.
The International Standard ISO5049.1, for bulk materials handling machines such as stackers, reclaimers, ship loaders and ship unloaders, was used in Australia until 1995. Since then Australia has followed the AS4324.1 standard. There are significant differences between the two standards; this article will explain further.
Mobile equipment for continuous handling of bulk materials, such as stackers and reclaimers, are designed to the loads (such as dead load E, live load F) and load combinations defined in AS4324.1. The load distributions for the design parameters were generated for a number of mobile machines based on site measurement data, and those load distributions were used to verify the design parameters in the latest AS4324.1.
Standards Australia recently published the latest edition of AS 4324.1 Mobile equipment for continuous handling of bulk materials. It was recognised that AS 4324.1 is very important in the procurement process for this equipment and this needed further emphasis.
In contrast to previous revisions, AS4324.1-2017 states that the standard should be used to risk assess existing machines for continued use, upgrades or modification. This clarifies the importance of AS4324.1 compliance for existing machines and may impact current risk management strategies, systems and procedures for these machines.
Standards Australia recently published the latest edition of AS4324.1 Mobile equipment for continuous handling of bulk materials – General requirements for the design of steel structures in December 2017. The standard was first published in 1995 and the revision has been prepared by the Standards Australia ME43 committee to update it and clarify some areas which have caused ambiguity over the last 20 years of use.