Abstract
For measuring bin loads, the authors devised and used a small and sensitive pressure cell to find out the vertical pressure distribution of the bed of powder or granular materials filled in a cylindrical bin with a flat bottom.
As the results, it is found that the vertical pressure distribution of fine powder becomes higher in the central part of a bed than in the part closed to the wall. The patterns of pressure distribution of granular materials are very complicated according to the filling method of materials.
These facts can be explained by arch formation in the bed caused by both internal and wall friction forces.
