Abstract
This paper presents a regular three-dimensional model of heaped granular materials and illustrates the complexity of such an apparently simple problem. Heaps of up to 8000 spheres are examined. The force distribution at the base of two types of heaps (with different shapes of base) has been analysed. The vertical force distribution at the base of heaps shows a characteristic profile with cross-section roughly of M-shape and both shear force distributions show the characteristic profile of an S-shape. The vertical forces at the central region show a relatively flat profile and the maximum is not in the middle under the peak of the heap but within a certain region between the centre and the edge of the heap. This study shows that a simple model might not imitate the behaviour of real granular materials. To understand this behaviour further random three-dimensional models must be introduced.
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