Side-wall pressure distribution of granular silos

TL;DR

This paper develops a new theoretical model for the side-wall pressure distribution in granular silos, incorporating depth-dependent friction and stress ratios, and investigates the transition between different stress states through experiments and empirical expressions.

Contribution

A novel theoretical model that accounts for variable friction and stress ratios with depth, improving understanding of pressure distribution in silos.

Findings

The model captures the transition between hydrostatic-like and Janssen-like stress states.

Experimental results validate the proposed empirical transition expression.

The model enhances prediction accuracy of side-wall pressures in granular silos.

Abstract

The side-wall pressure distribution in static silos is an important and open problem related to storage safety of granular materials. Referring to Lvin's theory [Powder Technology 4, 280 (1971)] and Rodolfo's 2D numerical result [Phys. Rev. E 97.1(2018)], a new theoretical model of side wall pressure is established by assuming the friction coefficient as well as the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress changing with depth position in silo. Furthermore, the transition of stress state between hydrostatic-like and Janssen-like is systematically investigated by our model and experiment, and finally an empirical expression describing this transition is proposed.