Determining Haul Time from Performance Chart - 3.1 | 16. Loading Time and Gravimetric Capacity | Construction Engineering & Management - Vol 2
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Understanding Haul Time

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to learn how to determine haul time using performance charts. Can anyone tell me what haul time refers to in our context?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it the time it takes for a truck to transport materials from a site?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Haul time depends on various factors including haul distance and speed, which we can derive from performance charts. Can anyone think of what factors might affect this speed?

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe the weight of the load or type of terrain?

Student 3
Student 3

And also the type of machine we're using!

Teacher
Teacher

Great points! The weight of the load does affect the machine's speed due to resistances encountered, and understanding these factors is vital for accurate haul time calculations.

Teacher
Teacher

So, let's remember the key formula: Haul Time = Distance / Speed. We will use performance charts to get the speed based on weight and resistances.

Gravimetric Capacity Importance

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's talk about gravimetric capacity. Why is it crucial to know a machine's gravimetric capacity?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it’s to avoid overloading which could damage the machine?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Overloading can lead to increased wear and tear and particularly affect tires, which can constitute a significant portion of operating costs. Can you explain how we check if a load is within this capacity?

Student 4
Student 4

We need the weight of the load based on its density and volume, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! By calculating the actual weight using the material's density and the truck's volumetric load, we ensure that we remain within safety limits. Good job!

Dumping Time Factors

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let’s discuss dumping times. What factors can influence how quickly we can dump materials from a truck?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it depends on whether the material is sticky or not?

Student 2
Student 2

And how congested the dumping area is, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! The material type and site conditions can significantly affect dumping efficiency. Remember, favorable conditions lead to quicker dumping times. Can anyone recall the types of trucks and their related dumping times?

Student 3
Student 3

There are rear dump and bottom dump trucks, and bottom dumps are usually faster under ideal conditions!

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! Balancing these conditions can really enhance overall speed and productivity.

Balancing Equipment

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let's talk about balancing our equipment. What does balancing the number of trucks and excavators involve?

Student 4
Student 4

It’s about making sure we have enough trucks for the excavators to keep work flowing, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! If we don't have enough trucks, the excavator may be idle. Ideally, how do we calculate the number of trucks needed?

Student 1
Student 1

By comparing the cycle times of trucks and excavators?

Teacher
Teacher

Right again! The balance number should ensure both machines operate at their maximum efficiency.

Teacher
Teacher

So remember, the optimum balance is crucial for maximizing production and minimizing downtime!

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section focuses on calculating haul time using performance charts while emphasizing the importance of adhering to the gravimetric capacity of equipment.

Standard

In this section, we delve into the calculation of haul time based on bucket cycle times and the effects of various factors like load weight and type of materials. Key considerations include gravimetric capacity, loading and dumping times, and understanding how these influence productivity and equipment wear.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

This section explains how to determine haul time, which is crucial for effective management of hauling operations. The basic formula for loading time is derived from the multiplication of the number of bucket loads by the bucket cycle time. Emphasis is placed on the gravimetric capacity of machines, defined as the maximum allowable load weight, and the need to ensure that the loaded material's weight does not exceed this limit.

Moreover, it discusses the implications of loading too much weight, particularly when using denser materials, as this can lead to increased wear and tear on the machine, particularly tires, which significantly affects operating costs. The need to check the unit weight of materials against the machine's capacity ensures safe and efficient operation.

The section also covers factors affecting dumping times such as material type, machine type (rear dump vs. bottom dump), and site congestion, with comparisons made between favorable and unfavorable conditions. Finally, the section lays out a systematic approach to balance the capacities of interdependent machines (trucks and excavators) for optimal productivity, including methods for calculating the number of trucks required based on cycle times.

Audio Book

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Calculating Loading Time

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But the loading time will be number of bucket loads multiplied by the bucket cycle time.

Detailed Explanation

Loading time refers to how long it takes to load a truck with material using a bucket. This time is determined by multiplying the number of loads needed (bucket loads) by the time it takes to fill each bucket (bucket cycle time). For example, if it takes 2 minutes to fill one bucket and you need to fill 5 buckets, the total loading time will be 2 minutes × 5 buckets = 10 minutes.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine filling a backpack with books. If you can only fit 2 books in your arms at once and it takes you 1 minute to grab each batch, then for a stack of 10 books, it would take 5 minutes to load your backpack.

Understanding Gravimetric Capacity

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All the machines we are concerned about the safe gravimetric capacity of the machine. For every machine what is this safe operating load in terms of weight is given by the manufacturer, so that we call it as a gravimetric capacity.

Detailed Explanation

Gravimetric capacity is the maximum weight that a machine can safely operate with, as specified by the manufacturer. It is essential to respect this limit to ensure the safety and longevity of the machinery. If a truck or machine is overloaded, it can lead to structural failure or excessive wear and tear.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like carrying a suitcase. If your suitcase is rated for 20 kg and you try to carry 30 kg, it could break. Similarly, machines have weight limits, and exceeding these can cause serious issues.

Calculating Load Weight

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If you know the density of your material you can multiplied by the volumetric load you will get the actual weight of material in the truck.

Detailed Explanation

To ensure that the load does not exceed the gravimetric capacity, you can calculate the weight of the material being loaded. By knowing the density (weight per volume) of the material and the volume that the truck is carrying, you can multiply these values to get the total weight. This total weight must be compared against the machine's gravimetric capacity to confirm it is safe.

Examples & Analogies

Consider filling a container with sand. If the sand weighs 2 kg per liter and you fill it with 10 liters, the total weight of the sand is 20 kg. You need to ensure that your container can handle that weight without breaking.

Impact of Material Density on Loading

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If the material is going to be denser like wet sand or other denser material, what happens is there are more chances that your machine maybe overloaded.

Detailed Explanation

The density of the material being loaded greatly affects the potential for overload. Dense materials, such as wet sand, will weigh significantly more than lighter materials, such as dry dirt. This means that with the same volume of material, the weight could exceed the machine’s safe capacity, leading to potential damage.

Examples & Analogies

Consider lifting boxes filled with different items. A box filled with feathers is easy to lift, while a box filled with books is heavy. Loading the heavier box onto a weak cart could cause the cart to break, just like overloading a truck can damage it.

Consequences of Overloading

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Overloading your truck will result in premature aging of the truck, and it will result in huge loss for you.

Detailed Explanation

Consistently overloading a truck can lead to numerous problems, including wear and tear on tires and the structural frame of the vehicle. This overuse can lead to increased maintenance costs, premature replacement of the vehicle, and ultimately, higher operational costs. It is crucial to find a balance between productivity and sustainability to avoid such losses.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine driving a car that is packed with too much weight. Over time, the suspension system will wear out more quickly, leading to costly repairs. If you were to drive under the car's weight limit, it would last much longer and require less frequent repairs.

Factors Affecting Dump Time

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Dumping time will depend upon the type of hauling unit whether it is going to be rear dump or bottom dump.

Detailed Explanation

The time it takes to unload (dumping time) varies based on the type of truck used (e.g., rear dump, side dump, or bottom dump). Rear dump trucks may take longer to unload compared to bottom dump trucks, which can unload faster under favorable conditions. Understanding these differences helps in planning and optimizing the overall hauling process.

Examples & Analogies

Consider different types of garbage trucks; some back up and dump their load, while others have a bottom flap that opens up. The ones that use a bottom flap can unload much quicker compared to those that need to back up and dump.

Determining Haul Time

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Haul time depends upon your haul distance and the speed, speed you can get it from the performance chart.

Detailed Explanation

Haul time is calculated based on the distance that needs to be traveled and the speed of the truck. The truck's speed can be found in the performance chart provided by the manufacturer. Knowing both the distance and speed allows for the calculation of how long it will take to transport the load to its destination.

Examples & Analogies

If you're driving a car to a friend's house that is 30 kilometers away and your average speed is 60 kilometers per hour, you can estimate that it will take about 30 minutes to get there. Similarly, trucks follow this formula, making route planning efficient.

Return Time of the Truck

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The return time using the performance chart, but here the truck will be in the unloaded condition.

Detailed Explanation

Return time is calculated similarly to haul time, but this time the truck is empty. Using the performance chart again, the return speed is generally faster than when loaded, which will result in reduced return time. This is an important metric for optimizing the overall hauling operation.

Examples & Analogies

Think about riding a bicycle. It’s usually easier and faster to cycle without carrying anything than when you have a heavy backpack. The same principle applies to trucks—empty trucks can travel faster.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Haul Time: The time taken for a complete loading and transporting operation.

  • Gravimetric Capacity: Safe operational load limit of a machine.

  • Cycle Time: Time taken to complete a loading, haulling, or dumping operation.

  • Density: Weight per unit volume, key to calculating truck load weights.

  • Balancing Equipment: Ensuring the optimal number of machines to enhance productivity.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • If a truck has a gravimetric capacity of 20,000 lbs and the load density is 50 lbs/ft³, the maximum volume of load the truck can carry is 400 ft³.

  • For a truck that operates for 34 minutes to dump and return, if the loading time is 5.5 minutes, the truck cycle time becomes 39.5 minutes.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • To haul your load in a truck that will go, keep it light so your tires won't slow.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a truck trying to carry twice its load and struggling uphill, remember, each load must stay within its allowed space.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • LHD = Load, Haul, Dump - the main steps in haul time!

🎯 Super Acronyms

G-CAP = Gravimetric Capacity = Always Push less to avoid a crush!

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Haul Time

    Definition:

    The total time required for a truck to transport materials from one location to another, including loading, hauling, dumping, and returning.

  • Term: Gravimetric Capacity

    Definition:

    The maximum load weight that a machine can safely handle, as defined by the manufacturer.

  • Term: Bucket Cycle Time

    Definition:

    The time required for a bucket to complete one full cycle of loading, hauling, or dumping.

  • Term: Unit Weight

    Definition:

    The weight of a material per unit of volume, which is essential for calculating the total weight of a load.

  • Term: Dumping Time

    Definition:

    The time taken to unload materials from a truck based on the type of dumping method and material conditions.

  • Term: Balancing

    Definition:

    The process of ensuring the number of trucks and excavators work in harmony for optimal production.