the carcass elongates approximately 14% in tensile tests, the results of the tests seem 



reasonable. 



Conclusions 



No general conclusions can be drawn at this time since approximately 30% of the 



fastening concepts are still in the water as are 60% of the tensile test specimens. 



But there are observable tendencies. 



1- Figure 17 indicates that the material can definitely hold tensile loads. 



2- An inspection of the tables shown in Figures 9 and 10 show that connections 

 made of conveyor belt can hold considerable load. 



3- Of the two bolted connections fabricated, concept 3 had consistently higher 

 failure loads then concept 2, irrespective of material. In the second concept 

 the entire load is transferred to the centerpiece which then fails at the 

 section through the bolt holes. 



4- In all cases the ase of chemicals produced a stronger bond than the second 



fastening concept. 

 Other tendencies can also be seen, 



1- If one considers Uniroyal Usflex, for example, one sees that it produces its 

 strongest connection when bolted according to the third fastening concept. 

 This is explainable in terms of the straightwarp weave of the carcass. The 

 weave does not allow the bolt to tear through as eeisily. The proof of this is 

 shown in Figure 9 using the fourth concept. The Usflex has the highest load, 

 indicating that its weave has the highest load-carrying capacity when drilled 

 through. 



2- However, if one compares the third fastening concept for Usflex seven 

 months later, its strength has dropped off; whereas the connection strengths 

 of the Empire State and Royalon belts have remained fairly constant. This 

 indicates that these belts seem to keep their load- carrying capacity for a 

 longer time in water. 



37 



