Janssen ratio in granular solid measured by photoelastic method

Abstract

In this work Janssen ratio is measured in a dense granular pack. The pressure on the side walls as a function of the depth of the pack with top load under gravity is measured by photoelastic method. The samples are prepared by point source method with and without tapping. A non-monotonic distribution of the side pressure along the depth is found. Numerical simulation is performed and shows qualitative consistency with the experimental finding. The apparent weight of the sample is measured for different filling heights and for different top loads. Comparing with the normal stresses on the silo wall for different heights, we obtain the Janssen ratio J =xx/zz as a function of height. We find that although uJ = 0.11 is a constant as is expected, the Janssen Ratio is height dependent. It becomes height independent only when the top load is large enough.