Stress and Velocity Fields at Discharging of Silos

Summary

An Eulerian finite element method for the calculation of transient velocity and stress fields of path dependant materials in mass- and core flow silos based upon a consistent continuum mechanics approach is presented. Geometric nonlinearities as well as inertia effects of the solid are included. An incremental viscoplastic law for the granular bulk material is formulated that covers the solid-like behavior of the material during filling conditions as well as the fluid-like behavior during discharging. A compatible contact element is used for the simulation of the interface zone between the granular bulk material and the structure. Computations are done from static conditions up to discharging velocities of more than four meter per second.