Simulation of filling and emptying in a hexagonal-shape solar grain silo

A new silo design for grain-storage is examined using a numerical procedure to model its 3D granular flows during the filling and emptying processes. The authors in Hernandez-Cordero, et al. [Korea-Australia Rheol. J. 12(1)26 9-281(2000)] have previously presented the design of the new silo and its o bserved flow behavior. Its main characteristic is the almost complete elimi nation of excessive dynamics stresses. Since the required computational res ources to model the transient phenomena in these experiments are enormous, here, we present basic numerical results related to packing and dynamics of grains considering this complex design. Especial emphasis is given to simu late in great detail collisions of spherical grains with the walls, between themselves, as well as the complex geometry of the new silo, such as filli ng and unloading openings, inclined walls, etc. The interactions include co mpressive normal forces between grains as well as tangential forces involve d in sliding and rolling between two kernels. Virtual contact mechanics val id in the vicinity of the symmetry plane of the silo are also prescribed, p ermitting predictions closer to experimentally observed behavior. In spite of the complexity of interactions, steady flow patterns results obtained wi th reasonable computational times are presented.