Numerical Aspects of FE Simulations of Granular Flow in Silos
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 127, Issue 10
Abstract
Some important numerical aspects concerning the finite-element simulation of granular flow are presented. The main topic of this paper is the so-called “switch” phenomenon, which is a stress peak at the junction of the vertical and the inclined part of a mass flow silo during its discharge. Case studies prove that the FE simulation of silos and simplified systems should be handled with great care, as many wall pressure peaks occurring at places where the shape of the silo is changing may well be caused by numerical corner singularities. Other numerical aspects lead to consequences for the filling process and the opening phase of silo emptying.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Ayuga, F., Aguado, P., Couto, A., and Guaita, M. ( 2000). “Prediction of silo wall pressures during discharge using finite element models in mass flow and funnel flow.” Proc., 14th Engrg. Mech. Conf., ASCE, Reston, Va.
2.
Häussler, U. ( 1984). “Geschwindigkeits- und Spannungsfelder beim Entleeren von Silozellen.” PhD thesis, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
3.
Häussler, U., and Eibl, J. (1984). “Numerical investigations on discharging silos.”J. Engrg. Mech., ASCE, 110(6), 957–971.
4.
Holst, M., Ooi, J., Rotter, M., and Rong, G. (1999a). “Numerical modeling of silo filling. Part I: Continuum analyses.”J. Engrg. Mech., ASCE, 125(1), 94–103.
5.
Holst, M., Rotter, M., Ooi, J., and Rong, G. (1999b). “Numerical modeling of silo filling. Part II: Discrete element analyses.”J. Engrg. Mech., ASCE, 125(1), 104–110.
6.
Jofriet, J., Negi, S., and Lu, Z. ( 1997). “A numerical model for flow of granular materials in silos.” J. Agric. Engrg. Res., 68(1–3), 223–246.
7.
Kolymbas, D. ( 1988). Eine konstitutive Theorie für Böden und andere körnige Stoffe, Publication Institute of Geomechanics, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
8.
Lade, P. V. ( 1977). “Elasto-plastic stress-strain theory for cohesionless soils with curved yield surfaces.” Int. J. Solids and Struct., 19, 1019–1035.
9.
Lehmann, L. ( 1996). “Numerische Simulation der Spannungs- und Geschwindigkeitsfelder in Silos bei Einbauten.” PhD thesis, Braunschweig University, Braunschweig, Germany.
10.
Ragneau, E., Ooi, J., and Rotter, M. ( 1998). “Finite element models for specific applications.” Chapter 27, “Silos” fundamentals of theory, behaviour and design, C. J. Brown and J. Nielsen, eds., E & FN Spon, London, 495–508.
11.
Rombach, G. ( 1991). “Schüttguteinwirkungen auf Silozellen—Exzentrische Entleerung.” PhD thesis, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
12.
Rombach, G., and Eibl, J. ( 1995). “Granular flow of materials in silos—Numerical results.” Bulk Solids Handling, 75(1), 65–70.
13.
Ruckenbrod, C. ( 1995). “Statische und dynamische Phänomene bei der Entleerung von Silozellen.” PhD thesis, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
14.
Schneider, H. G., and Pieper, K. ( 1986). Messung der bei Massenfluß am Übergang der Silozelle zum Trichter auftretenden Lastspitze, des “Switch,” Kurzberichte aus der Bauforschung, Stuttgart, Germany, 683–686.
15.
Strusch, J. ( 1996). “Wandnormal spannungen in einem Silo mit Einbauten und Kräfte auf Einbauten.” PhD thesis, Braunschweig University, Braunschweig, Germany.
16.
von Wolffersdorff, P. A. ( 1996). “A hypoplastic relation for granular materials with a predefined limit state surface.” Mech. of Cohesive-Frictional Mat., 1, 251–271.
17.
Weidner, J. ( 1990). “Vergleich von Stoffgesetzen granularer Schüttgüter zur Silodruckermittlung.” PhD thesis, Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 127 • Issue 10 • October 2001
Pages: 1044 - 1050
History
Received: Apr 27, 2001
Published online: Oct 1, 2001
Published in print: Oct 2001
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.