Numerical Modeling of Wall Pressure in Silo with and Without Insert

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology based on the finite element method to simulate the flow of granular materials. Moreover, it allows proper estimation of dynamic pressure during silo discharge since this subject is still under discussion, especially for designing silos with an insert (an input element). A 2-D simulation of the discharge process of a cylindrical silo with cone and a central discharging orifice was performed. Two cases were studied, with and without using insert in silo. Numerical analysis was carried out with the help of the uncoupled arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) approach. The resulting dynamic pressure distribution on the silo wall for each of the two cases was inferred numerically. The resulting values of pressure were compared with the results of the experimental study on a cylindrical metal silo to demonstrate the accuracy of the numerical model in determining the dynamic wall pressure, especially in the case of using an insert in silo during discharge.

Modified lateral pressure formula of shallow and circular silo considering the elasticities of silo wall and storage materials

“…However, the storage materials are large numbers of particle aggregates, and their mechanical properties are extremely complex, which is difficult to reasonably estimate using the traditional classical mechanics theory and condensed matter physics theory 12 . In recent years, relevant scholars have found that the maximum dynamic pressure on the silo wall is often several times of the static pressure during silo discharging 13 – 16 . Thus, if the dynamic pressure on silo wall is not considered during the design process, it will lead to the instability of the silo.…”

Modified Lateral Pressure Formula of Shallow and Circular Silo Considering the Elasticities of Silo Wall and Storage Materials

“…However, the storage materials are large numbers of particle aggregates, and their mechanical properties are extremely complex, which is difficult to reasonably estimate using the traditional classical mechanics theory and condensed matter physics theory [12]. In recent years, relevant scholars have found that the maximum dynamic pressure on the silo wall is often several times of the static pressure during silo discharging [13][14][15][16]. Thus, if the dynamic pressure on silo wall is not considered during the design process, it will lead to the instability of the silo.…”