Non-linear vibration and stability analysis of a partially supported conveyor belt by a distributed viscoelastic foundation

The main source of transverse vibration of a conveyor belt is frictional contact between pulley and belt. Also, environmental characteristics such as natural dampers and springs affect natural frequencies, stability and bifurcation points of system. These phenomena can be modeled by a small velocity fluctuation about mean velocity. Also, viscoelastic foundation can be modeled as the dampers and springs with continuous characteristics. In this study, non-linear vibration of a conveyor belt supported partially by a distributed viscoelastic foundation is investigated. Perturbation method is applied to obtain a closed form analytic solutions. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to show stiffness, damping coefficient, foundation length, non-linearity and mean velocity effects on location of bifurcation points, natural frequencies and stability of solutions.