STRESS EVALUATION IN A HUGE COAL SILO USING DISTINCT ELEMENT SIMULATION

Abstract

The Distinct Element Method is one of the most appropriate tools to simulate discontinuous media. We try to use this method to analyze the problem in a huge coal silo (46m-wide). 200,000 particles are used to simulate the behavior of coal. The simulated results agree well with the measurements and the design. Especially, the arch area shown by the simulation is similar to the one assumed from the result of the measurement. There are several limitations to apply the OEM to the practical model, but it is indicated that the OEM is very effective to show the behavior of the particles in silos.