EFFECTS OF GRAIN MOISTURE-CONTENT ON DYNAMIC LOADS DURING DISCHARGE IN A MODEL CORRUGATED STEEL BIN

Tests were performed using a model corrugated steel bin to study the e ffect of grain moisture content on static and dynamic loads. Lateral p ressures on the bin wall were measured at six depths during filling an d emptying (discharge). Static and dynamic vertical resultant forces o n the bin wall and on the bin floor were measured independently. Hard red spring wheat was tested at three moisture contents of 9%, 12%, and 16% wb. With increasing moisture content, static lateral pressure on the bin wall decreased, whereas static vertical resultant force on the bin wall increasd. During discharge, a lower dynamic lateral pressure was observed for grain with higher moisture content. Dynamic vertical force on the wall was in the same order of magnitude (0.7 kN) for 9% and 12% moisture contents. No dynamic vertical force was observed for 16% moisture content.