Influence of Geometric Distorsions on Wall Pressures in Silos During Gravity Discharge

Abstract

This paper deals with the changes in wall pressures due to geometric distortions during the steady-state gravity discharge of silos. A constitutive equation previously presented by the authors is employed, in which the flow of the
granular material is modeled as the flow of an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid. The numerical solution of the problem is achieved by means of finite element. The walls of the silo are assumed to be rigid, and the geometric distortions are axisymmetric. The results show that the geometric distortions induce changes in the loads in the loads on the walls, with a local influence that extends no further than three times the length of the imperfection. Finally, it is found that internal geometric deviations produce larger load changes than outer deviations.