Flow of granular materials in a hexagonal silo

A new silo design for grain storage is examined using a numerical procedure to model its filling and emptying processes. The simulation uses a molecul ar dynamics technique with contact mechanics for grain interactions. The sc heme assumes an elastic-hystereric model for the normal contact and a 3-dim ensional model for the tangential contacts, which includes simultaneous rol ling and sliding. The new silo design consists ol hexagonal cells with the central axis laying horizontally, and reducing grain losses considerably. T he results presented show good correlations with the observed phenomena dur ing the operation of the scaled silo, and provide the means of quantitative computer studies of large silo facilities.