Load distribution in a model bin as influenced by mechanical properties of wheat grain

To describe mechanical behaviour of a granular material it is indispensable to have parameters such as the coefficient of friction on a bin wall, the angle of internal friction and the bulk density and the k-value in Janssen's equation. The values of these parameters depend on many known and unknown factors. In the case of plant granular solids indisputable is the role of moisture content of grain, vertical pressure and sliding velocity. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of mechanical properties of wheat grain on wall and bottom load distribution in a model grain bin. A series of tests involving eight filling methods, eccentric discharge from five different locations of a bin orifice and three bin wall surfaces were conducted on a laboratory scale cylindrical bin 0.61 m in diameter and 2.44 m high. The wall and flat floor of the bin were supported independently on three load cells so that load distributions could be isolated. Static and dynamic wall and bottom loads were found to be influenced by the filling method. Shower filling produced lower static load of the smooth wall as compared to central filling and higher static load of corrugated and rough walls. The experiments showed a significant influence of grain orientation on load distribution. Variable angle of internal friction within the Janssen differential element can explain the non-uniform load distribution obtained. The horizontal bending moments exerted on the wall and floor of the bin during eccentric discharge were found to decrease with an increase in the bin wall friction coefficient and were influenced significantly by the orifice eccentricity ratio, with the maximum moment occurring at ER equal to 0.667. The horizontal pressure distribution around the circumference of the bin wall depends on the height from the floor. Near the floor of the bin the horizontal pressure was larger on the side of the bin opposite the discharge orifice, while for locations higher above the floor, the horizontal pressure was larger on the side nearest the discharge orifice. As the ratio of the grain height to the bin diameter decreased below approximately 1 a change in the direction of the resultant friction force on the bin wall from a normal downward direction to an upward direction was observed. The change in direction of the resultant tangent force originates from the combination of the downward friction force of flowing grain and the upward friction force of the grain contained within the dead zone of the bin. Moisture content of grain influences its compressibility, friction against the bin wall, height of the dead zone and, in consequence, the upward movement of grains in the dead zone of the flat bottom bin during discharge