The Friction Stress Distribution of Loose Materials to Silo Walls in Deep Pyramidal Silos

Abstract

Referring to the classification of vertical silos, the classification rules for deep silos and shallow silos on pyramidal silos and conical silos have been established. Based on the basic assumptions of Janssen Formula, the friction stress distribution of loose materials to silo walls was discussed in detail on deep pyramidal silos. An analytic equation was established used the slice method. Finite element model was developed to simulate the friction stress distribution. The analytic result was almost the same with the simulation result. However, the equation yielded a minor error mainly because there were some differences between the assumptions presented in the equation and the real state of materials. Based on the simulation results, the analytic equation was revised. The results showed that the friction stress distribution of loose materials to silo walls in deep pyramidal silos was related to the material characteristics and design parameters of silo walls, as well as the material powder attribute. The revised equation precisely indicated the contact friction stress behaviors of loose materials and provided a shortcut method of calculation for related research.

Keywords

• loose material
• pyramidal silos
• friction stress
• contact
• finite element