Professional Development
Emeritus Professor Alan Roberts founded TUNRA Bulk Solids in 1975 to facilitate research and consulting services in bulk materials handling. Following Alan’s long-standing commitment to the bulk handling industry, he has developed, guided and led a team of experts at TUNRA Bulk Solids who continue to be at the forefront of the materials handling research. Following in Alan’s footsteps, TUNRA offers professional development courses to industry as a part of our commitment to the continuous improvement of the materials handling field. These training courses are run by a minimum of 3 experts from our engineering group.
External Courses
TUNRA Bulk Solids’ Professional Development Courses aim to provide delegates with knowledge of basic principles for the design of efficient materials handling systems including bins, transfer chutes and belt conveyors. These courses equip delegates with the latest in industry best practice and are run face-to-face or online.
Bulk Solids Handling - Storage, Feeding, Transfer, Belt Conveying
Held multiple times per year in Australia in various locations including New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
Key learning outcomes:
- Basic principles of materials handling plant design
- Bulk solids flow properties and application to design
- Loads on bin walls – symmetric and eccentric discharge – shock loads and silo quaking
- Stockpile design incorporating draw-down, live capacity, base loads and locations of reclaim hoppers, feeders and tunnels
- Loads on buried structures in bins and stockpiles
- Chute design for feeding and transfer
- Application of Discrete Element Method (DEM) modelling to the design of storage and handling systems
- Belt conveying: overview of various types of belt conveyors and review of basic design procedures
- Dust and scale modelling
Transfer Chutes - Design, Modeling and Optimisation
Key learning outcomes:
- Design principles for favourable transfer chute design
- Bulk solid material properties and testing procedures required for design and flow analysis
- Application of material properties in the design process including liner selection
- Influence of bulk solid material and conveyor belt interaction prior to and post transfer
- Transition zone and discharge trajectory considerations
- Chute flow problems due to adhesion and wear
- Dynamic modeling of transfer chute components for optimum accelerated flow
- Optimising transfer chute design for feeding and transfer
- Practical implementation of continuum mechanics analysis
- Dust control during the transfer and redirection process
- Optimising chute geometry for controlled wear in the flow zone and at the belt feed point
- Overview of the principles of DEM analysis
- Application of DEM and other modeling techniques
- Close the gap in knowledge set of the analysis tools and techniques
- Obtain specific problem solving skills for transfer chutes
For further details on all short courses please contact: Danielle.Harris@newcastle.edu.au
Belt Conveyor – Design, Optimisation and Research
TUNRA are excited to announce the launch of their Belt Conveyor Design, Optimisation and Research Course.
This specialised course provides a comprehensive understanding of conveyor system design, operation, and maintenance. Covering industry best practices, technical considerations, and troubleshooting strategies, this course is ideal for engineers, technicians, and industry professionals looking to enhance their expertise in conveyor systems.
This course will presented over 3-and-a-half-days at TUNRA Bulk Solids in Newcastle from 27th – 30th October 2025.
For further communications about this course, please email: Danielle.Harris@newcastle.edu.au
ICBMH 2026
The 15th International Conference on Bulk Materials Storage, Handling and Transportation follows the well-established tradition of the previous conferences in the ICBMH series, dating back to 1983. The 15th ICBMH will be held in Fremantle, Western Australia from 7th – 9th July 2026.
This conference will provide an excellent forum for practitioners, researchers and designers to come together to review and exchange ideas and experiences in established, new and emerging technologies with the many others who deal with bulk materials on a daily basis, both nationally and internationally.
Benefits of attending and presenting at the ICBMH conference:
- Obtain Professional Development (CPD) hours
- Diversify your expertise and knowledge in materials handling
- Learn design principles for efficient and reliable systems
- Keep up-to-date with latest research and development of new technologies
To express your interest and receive further communications about this conference, please email: Danielle.Harris@newcastle.edu.au
In-House Courses
TUNRA Bulk Solids will customise course work and training to suit the specific requirements of individual clients.
Professional training courses are conducted by a team of highly qualified engineers and professional staff from TBS and the University of Newcastle, based on their vast research and practical experience in all fields of bulk materials handling.
Specialised in-house or on-site training courses on testing procedures can be tailored to suit the individual needs of a business or work site.
To learn more please contact Ms. Danielle Harris +61 2 4033 9039.
