Side-wall pressure distribution of 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.