STRESS-DISTRIBUTION IN SANDPILES - A VARIATIONAL APPROACH

Two variational closure models are proposed in order to describe stres s distribution and arch formation in sandpiles located on a rigid base . The maximum strength and the maximum entropy closures are shown to y ield the normal stress minimum below the pile apex. Stress distributio ns in sandpiles are determined numerically. The force fluctuations in a model regular granular assembly are studied by Monte Carlo simulatio n method. A dependence of the level of the fluctuations vs. the macros copic stress state is determined. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.