Abstract
This paper describes an experimental investigation on the flow profile and wall normal stress characteristics in pattern-transformable flow silos, where the flow pattern changes from the funnel flow to the mass flow during discharge. The flow zone evolutions in this kind of silo are observed and discussed. The applicability of the existing funnel flow zone prediction model to this flow type is accessed. The distributions and dynamic characteristics of the wall normal stresses are obtained and analyzed. The reasons for the overpressure decrease and stress fluctuation weakening in pattern-transformable flow silos are discussed. A method to calculate the forces acting on the stagnant zone is proposed, and the force analysis is made at the moment when the flow pattern transforms. The unbalance of forces acting on the stagnant zone as a whole plays an important role in the flow pattern transformation. The findings offer a possibility to improve the pattern-transformable flow silo design.
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