DEM Analysis of Loads on Disc Inserts Immersed in Grain During Silo Filling and Discharge

Abstract

The discrete element method (DEM) was used to estimate vertical loads on discs embedded in wheat during unloading of a model silo. DEM simulations were performed with an assembly of 40000 spherical particles, 3.8 mm in diameter, filling 0.1 m in diameter D cylindrical container. Material parameters of particles were chosen as measured for wheat kernels. Five disk inserts (with disc diameters to silo diameter d/D ratios as those used in laboratory experiments) were axially suspended at height h of h/D = 0.5 in the container and vertical loads on discs during filling and discharge were estimated. Insert loads during silo discharge were found in good agreement (up to certain disc diameter) with experimental results. The ratio of the mass of material in laboratory and numerical experiments was found a good scaling factor.