EFFECT OF FILLING METHOD ON LOAD DISTRIBUTION IN MODEL GRAIN BINS

The spatial arrangement of individual grains forming a bed of granular solids influences the mechanical behavior of the granular material. T his article summarizes the effects of the spatial arrangement of wheat wheat in bulk on the angle of internal friction determined in triaxia l test and on the load shift in a model bin. In addition, it shows the influence of the bedding structure generated by three filling methods on the radial distribution of vertical pressure on the bottom of a cy lindrical flat-floor bin and the resultant lateral to vertical pressur e ratio (k). The filling method significantly (alpha = 5%) influenced the radial distribution of vertical pressure on the floor of the bin. This variation in pressure distribution was reflected in the estimated values of k. An increase of stress ratio was observed after the start of discharge.