Analysis and modeling of heaping behavior of granular mixtures within a computational mechanics framework

Christakis, N, Chapelle, Pierre and Patel, Mayur (2006) Analysis and modeling of heaping behavior of granular mixtures within a computational mechanics framework. Advanced Powder Technology, 17 (4). pp. 383-398. ISSN 0921-8831

Abstract

This paper presents a continuum model of the flow of granular material during filling of a silo, using a viscoplastic constitutive relation based on the Drucker-Prager plasticity yield function. The performed simulations demonstrate the ability of the model to realistically represent complex features of granular flows during filling processes, such as heap formation and non-zero inclination angle of the bulk material-air interface. In addition, micro-mechanical parametrizations which account for particle size segregation are incorporated into the model. It is found that numerical predictions of segregation phenomena during filling of a binary granular mixture agree well with experimental results. Further numerical tests indicate the capability of the model to cope successfully with complex operations involving granular mixtures.

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