Global stress distributions in granular materials

Abstract

The concept of ‘critical equilibrium’ is used as a guide in the derivation of possible stress distributions in long rectangular deep bins. Janssen's formula is derived as a special case and two alternative global stress distributions are suggested. The latter solutions are exact in that they identically satisfy the equilibrium equations. As well as giving new estimates for lateral pressures, the new results could be used to estimate the shear on the walls and the pressure distribution on the floor.