This article deals with the problem of loose materials, i.e., wheat grain, when transported by belt conveyors with cover belts. For the purpose of further research, experimental measurements of the deflections of a conveyor belt with loose material were carried out on a self-built laboratory test device. The mechanical contact between the wheat and the belt could be suitably approximated using an elastic foundation. The measured data were evaluated and used to obtain functional relationships for the compressibility moduli of the bilateral Winkler elastic foundation. The obtained relationships were further stochastically processed using the Monte Carlo method.

This article serves as a continuation of our previously published work and focuses on loose material transport via sandwich belt conveyors. Experimental, analytical, stochastic, and numerical approaches are used to obtain and utilize the moduli of a bilateral Winkler elastic foundation that represent a loose material, which is wheat (Triticum aestivum) that is free of bran in this case. The solutions were obtained for a uniformly and nonuniformly distributed loose material. The task of the conveyor with loose material is simplified into a symmetric task, i.e., a beam on an elastic bilateral Winkler foundation, for an analytical solution and stochastic solution (Anthill and Matlab sw). In a numerical approach, this is considered a plane strain problem within the finite element method (Ansys and MSC.Marc sw). The experimental data are evaluated and used to obtain the functions of Winkler elastic foundation moduli, which are further considered in the numerical solution. The finite element method mainly serves as a verification tool. The acquired histograms of the elastic foundation moduli can be further applied in various scientific and research fields.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the main empirical, equivalent-fluid, poroelastic, resonant, and numerical models used to describe sound absorption in porous materials. Each model is described in detail with regard to its theoretical basis, governing equations, and key physical parameters. Special attention is devoted to the assumptions underlying each model, such as whether the frame is rigid or flexible, the applicable frequency range, and the types of porous media they most accurately represent. The advantages and limitations of the different approaches are critically assessed in terms of prediction accuracy, computational complexity, physical interpretability, and experimental requirements. In addition, this paper summarizes and critically discusses published model–experiment comparisons for representative porous and resonant acoustic materials. These comparisons highlight the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling strategies in various acoustic applications and provide guidance for selecting the most suitable model according to the material properties and target frequency range. The review shows that equivalent-fluid models generally provide the best compromise between prediction accuracy and computational efficiency for rigid-frame porous materials, whereas Biot-type poroelastic models are more suitable when frame motion cannot be neglected.