Particle Size Effect on DEM Simulation of Pressures Applied on a Cylindrical Silo with Hopper

Abstract

This work is a contribution to the comprehension of the particle upscaling effect on DEM simulation of cylindrical silos. Three silo models have been simulated with different hopper outlets and inclination angles. Huge calculations of 11 simulation series with a different scaling factor are considered for every model. Pressures applied on silo walls remain quite identical with particle upscaling. Besides, their curves are in agreement with Eurocode standard. The computing time is significantly reduced as well as the number of particles, where the simulation speed is increased up to 12 times by just scaling particle radius two times. The total bulk density was not affected by particle escalation and its value remains unchanged.