Optimum operational conditions of mining trucks based on the vibrational health risk of the driver

Abstract

This paper aims to propose the optimum payload and speed limit and load geometry for a heavy duty 60-ton truck in Sungun Copper Mine of Iran as a case study to keep the vibrational health risk at the lowest possible level while maintaining the production rate at the planned level. The root mean square (RMS) of vibrations at different operational conditions was obtained. Then, an optimisation problem was developed to propose the optimum payload and truck speeds at various conditions. The optimum payload was 65 tons. The optimum speed of loaded truck was obtained in the range of 30–35 km/h at good roads and 15 km/h at poor roads. Also, the optimum speed range of empty truck was in the range of 15–20 km/h. Uniform payloads and materials accumulated on the left side can have the lowest and highest effects on the vibrational health risk, respectively.