Finite Element Analysis of Bulk Solids Flow: Part 1, Development of a Model Based on a Secant Constitutive Relationship

Silos and bins are used in agriculture and many other industries for the storage and handling of bulk solids. This paper deals with a secant constitutive relationship for bulk solids for a transient finite element analysis of stresses, displacements and velocities in the solids during discharge of a silo filled with soybean. The constitutive relationship will be presented for the modelling of flow of cohesionless granular materials in a silo or bin. Stresses and strains are related by a secant relationship that has an elastic and a plastic component. The Drucker-Prager yield criterion is used to indicate the switch from elastic to plastic behaviour.