15th ASCE Engineering Mechanics Conference June 2-5, 2002, Columbia University, New York, NY

EM
2002

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GRANULAR AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS CONSIDERED IN SILOS DESIGN

Manuel Moya1 Francisco Ayuga2 Manuel Guaita3 and Pedro Jose Aguado4
ABSTRACT Traditional methods for silos design just took into account some material properties such as the angle of internal friction, the grain to wall friction coefficient and the specific weight. Currently some of these methods are still commonly applied in different international silo design standards. However, with these methods it was not possible to accurately predict dynamic loads in silos. Since numerical methods began to be applied to the design of silos it was possible to better understand the interaction between the grain and the silo walls. With this technique it was necessary to consider additional parameters such as the dilatancy angle, the Poissons ratio and the modulus of elasticity that describe the behavior of materials usually stored in silos. Because of the lack of existing data within the literature, the goal of this research was to provide values of different material properties considered in either traditional or more recent silo design methods. These values will be used in finite element models recently developed by the authors to study the discharge of silos. Keywords: angle of internal friction, grain to wall friction coefficient, dilatancy angle, Poissons

ratio, specific weight, modulus of elasticity. INTRODUCTION Janssens theory (1895) is commonly used in most of international Standards for silos design. This theory, as well as many others such as Airys theory (1897) or Reimberts theory (1943) considered some material properties such as the angle of internal friction (), the grain to wall friction coefficient () and the specific weight (). So, it is possible to find values for all these properties in the literature. All these theories are suitable for predicting grain loads inside bins in static conditions. However, during discharge the loads generated inside the bin are higher than those appeared in static conditions. In the middle of the 70s the finite element method began to
1

Ph.D. Agricultural Engineer. Polytechnic University of Madrid. Spain. E-mail: manuelmi@cvr.etsia.upm.es Associate Professor. Polytechnic University of Madrid. Spain. E-mail: ayuga@cvr.etsia.upm.es 3 Associate Professor. University of Santiago de Compostela. Lugo. Spain. E-mail: guaita@lugo.usc.es 4 Associate Professor. University of Leon. Spain. E-mail: diapar@unileon.es
2

be applied to the study of agricultural silos. With this new technique it was possible to study problems that could not be solved with traditional methods although discharge of silos is still a problem not understood very well. To accurately model silo loads it is necessary to consider additional material properties not taken into account in the traditional methods, such as the dilatancy angle (), the modulus of elasticity (E) and the Poissons ratio (). As there are no values of these new parameters in the literature, it has been necessary to use the values considered by other researchers or even randomly select other values, which resulted in some wrong solutions applying this technique. In this work mechanical properties of different agricultural materials commonly stored in silos were determined. These values can be used in silo modeling using the finite element method in order to better understand the interaction that exists between the grain and the silo structure. PARAMETERS AND TESTING MATERIALS The material properties determined in this work were: the angle of internal friction (), the apparent cohesion (C), the grain to wall friction coefficient (), the dilatancy angle (), the Poissons ratio (), the modulus of elasticity (E) and the specific weight (). The following tests were carried out in order to determine all these properties: - Direct shear tests: the angle of internal friction (), the apparent cohesion (C), the dilatancy angle () and the grain to wall coefficient of friction () could be determined with this test. Two different shear cells were used: a square one 10 cm on a side and 3 cm deep, and a circular one 10 cm in diameter and 3 cm deep. The Eurocode 1, Part 4 (ENV 1991-4) is referred to the circular shear box. However in most of laboratories it is very usual to have a square shear box. That way, results using both square and circular shear boxes could be compared using the same samples in order to study the differences in the values obtained. Tests were conducted at three different velocities (0.065 mm/min, 0.32 mm/min and 0.63 mm/min) and three different normal pressures were applied (100, 200 and 300 kPa, respectively). Tests with consolidated and unconsolidated samples were conducted in order to determine the differences in the results obtained. Each test was replicated two or three times, depending on the type of test carried out. A modified shear box was used to determine the grain to wall coefficient of friction. In this case two different surfaces were tested, concrete and steel, which are the most common type of materials used in silos construction. - Triaxial tests: the angle of internal friction (), the apparent cohesion (C) and the Poissons ratio () of the bulk material were determined. Two different type of tests were carried out depending on the material properties determined: - K0 test: with this test Poissons ratio could be determined. During this test lateral deformations of the sample were not allowed. Confining pressures of 100, 200 and 300 kPa were applied during the test. Confining pressures were increased once the sample began to deform. Each test was stopped once the sample began to deform at a confining pressure of 300 kPa. - Mohr-Coulomb strength envelopes could be determined conducting triaxial tests in which samples were allowed to deform freely. The angle of internal friction and the apparent cohesion were determined. That way, values of the samples tested using both direct shear tests and triaxial tests could be compared.

In this test, a constant lateral pressure was applied. The test was finished once the sample reached an axial strain rate of 20%, which is the maximum rate allowed by the standards (ASTM D2850-95 (1999), DIN 18130, UNE 103402:1998). In this test specimens of two different sizes were used. One was 38.1 mm (1.5 in.) in diameter, whereas the second one was 101.6 mm (4 in.) in diameter. Two different velocities were used to carry out the tests: 1.02 mm/min and 0.19 mm/min (0.04 in./min and 0.0075 in./min, respectively) for the specimen 38.1 mm in diameter, whereas for the specimen 101.6 mm in diameter velocities of 1.02 mm/min and 0.51 mm/min (0.04 in./min and 0.02 in./min, respectively) were selected. In K0 tests three replications were made at each velocity, whereas for tests allowing free lateral deformation of the sample two replications were conducted. Oedometer test: the modulus of elasticity of the grain (E) at different vertical stresses could be determined with this test. The void ratio of the sample was obtained as a function of the vertical stress applied. This way the height of the sample was determined at each vertical stress applied and therefore the oedometer modulus (E) could be calculated. The expression (Eq. 1) used to determine the modulus of elasticity of the grain once the oedometer modulus is known at discrete vertical stresses was:

E = E'

1 2 2 1

(1)

where is the Poissons ratio. During this test a loading cycle and an unloading cycle were applied. Vertical pressures of 9, 18, 37, 74, 148 and 296 kPa respectively were applied during each loading step. Each load was doubled after every 24 hours, which is considered the time needed for the sample to reach its maximum consolidation state. After the maximum load was applied, the unloading cycle was conducted in which the vertical pressure was decreased by half in a similar step-size as described for the loading cycle. The oedometer lever can multiply the vertical loads 11 times. Three oedometer devices were available at the laboratory and each sample was tested in each of them so that results could be compared. Specific weight test: in this test the variation of the specific weight with vertical pressure was determined. Tests were conducted using a Standard Proctor mould and a compression press. A maximum vertical pressure of 300 kPa was applied and three different velocities were tested: 1.524, 0.382, and 0.102 mm/min (0.06, 0.015, and 0.004 in./min, respectively). Each test was replicated three times. Determination of the moisture content: samples were dried in a oven at temperatures of 55C and 105 to 110C. The first temperature was selected to determine the surface humidity whereas with the second one the hygroscopic humidity was measured. Samples were weighed every 24 hours until they reached a constant weight.

RESULTS The results obtained for six samples (Prevision oats, Kym barley, sunflower, corn, Camacho wheat and lentil vetch) in the different tests carried out are shown below. Values of the angle of internal friction and apparent cohesion using the direct shear test are shown in Table 1. The values obtained for these material properties ranged depending on the type of test carried out (consolidated or unconsolidated) and the type of shear box used (square or

circular). Table 1 shows the minimum and maximum values obtained for each sample in the different tests carried out.

TABLE 1. Values of the angle of internal friction and the apparent cohesion. Direct shear test.
Sample Kym barley Corn Prevision oats Sunflower Lentil Vetch Camacho wheat Angle of internal friction ()= 21.6 - 25.4 25.2 - 30.4 21.8 - 24.8 27.6 - 30.9 25 - 27.5 20.6 - 22.2 Apparent cohesion C (kPa) 0 - 10.72 0 - 36.36 0 - 4.69 0 - 20.84 0.95 - 14.70 2.87 - 7.71

A modified shear box was used to determine the grain to wall friction coefficient. Both circular and square shear boxes were used. Two different surfaces, steel and concrete, were used to simulate the friction appeared between the bulk grain and the silo wall. The results obtained for this property are shown in table 2.

TABLE 2. Values of the grain to wall friction coefficient. Direct shear test using a modified shear box.
Sample Kym barley Corn Sunflower Camacho wheat Grain to wall friction coefficient ()= Steel Concrete 0.13 - 0.21 0.41 - 0.43 0.15 - 0.26 0.50 - 0.56 0.21 - 0.22 0.51 - 0.53 0.14 - 0.24 0.39 - 0.44

The values obtained for the dilatancy angle are shown in table 3. It should be noted that these results are referred to a normal pressure of 100 kPa because it is considered that the maximum pressure value reached inside a bin ranges around this value.

TABLE 3. Values of the dilatancy angle. Direct shear test

Sample Kym barley Corn Prevision oats Sunflower Lentil Vetch Camacho wheat Dilatancy angle () 3 - 4.9 20.3 - 32.7 0 0 - 9.7 14.8 - 24.3 6 - 23.1

As mentioned above, triaxial tests were conducted allowing the free lateral deformation of the sample. The angle of internal friction and the apparent cohesion of the bulk material could be determined and the values obtained for some of the samples can be compared with those of direct shear test. Table 4 shows the results obtained with this test.

TABLE 4. Values of the angle of internal friction and the apparent cohesion. Triaxial test allowing free lateral deformation of the sample.
Sample Kym barley Corn Sunflower Lentil Vetch Camacho wheat Angle of internal friction () 24.1 - 28 19.5 - 20.1 17.1 - 23 20.9 - 27 19.7 - 24.6 Apparent cohesion (C) 0 11.74 - 17.39 0 - 20.84 0 - 12.31 2.87 - 7.71

The other type of triaxial tests carried out were K0 tests in which no lateral deformation of the samples were allowed. Poissons ratio was determined with this test. The values appeared in table 5 are referred to a confining pressure of 100 kPa, which is a pressure value usually reached in real silos. Depending on the average particle size tests were conducted using the specimen 101.6 mm in diameter or that of 38.1 mm in diameter.

TABLE 5. Values of the Poissons ratio. Triaxial test allowing free lateral deformation of the sample.
Sample Kym barley Corn Prevision oats Sunflower Lentil Vetch Camacho wheat Poissons ratio () 0.35 - 0.36 0.30 - 0.31 0.36 - 0.41 0.31 - 0.33 0.32 - 0.35 0.27 - 0.37

Table 6 shows the values obtained for the specific weight at different normal pressures. As this test was carried out at three different velocities, the maximum and minimum values obtained at different normal pressures were selected to know the range of values of the samples tested.

TABLE 6. Values of the specific weight at different normal pressures.

Sample 0
Kym barley Corn Prevision oats Sunflower Lentil Vetch Camacho wheat
6199-6326 7302-7322 4706-4783 3986-4029 8412-8449 8162-8185

25
6440-6577 7368-7373 5136-5151 4123-4165 8518-8552 8245-8275

Specific Weight (N/m3) Normal Pressure applied (kPa) 50 75 100

6545-6698 7419-7438 5300-5318 4224-4261 8572-8624 8301-8334 6611-6776 7449-7461 5414-5439 4297-4326 8627-8661 8328-8366 6677-6842 7472-7485 5512-5544 4355-4392 8654-8690 8354-8394

125
6722-6904 7496-7509 5592-5631 4415-4452 8685-8709 8381-8419

150
6768-6955 7520-7533 5654-5721 4476-4510 8682-8728 8408-8441

Figure 1 shows the curves obtained for one of the samples in this test. The curves obtained for the remaining samples are quite similar to the one shown here.
7200 7100 7000 6900 6800 6700 6600 6500 6400 6300 6200 6100 0 50 100

Specific Weight (kN/m

0.102 mm /min. 0.381 mm /min. 1.524 mm /min.

150 200 250 Normal Pressure (kPa) 300 350

FIG. 1. Variation of the specific weight with normal pressure. Kym barley tested at different velocities.
The oedometer modulus and the modulus of elasticity of these samples were obtained at different normal pressures, in a similar way as the one shown for the specific weight test. As an example, the results obtained for two of the grains considered in this work, Kym barley and corn are shown in tables 7 and 8.

TABLE 7. Values of the oedometer modulus and the modulus of elasticity at different pressures for Kym barley.
P (kPa) 11,30 22,61 45,22 90,43 180,86 361,72 180,86 90,43 45,22 22,61 11,30 E (kPa) 1122 784 1049 1770 3103 5052 42809 14960 7347 3920 1274 E (kPa) 668-699 466-488 624-654 1053-1103 2168-2305 3753-3952 29916-31801 8901-9321 4371-4578 2332-2442 758-794

TABLE 8. Values of the oedometer modulus and the modulus of elasticity at different pressures for corn.
P (kPa) 11,30 22,61 45,22 90,43 180,86 361,72 180,86 90,43 45,22 22,61 11,30 E (kPa) 1462 1021 2591 5068 6878 8316 87187 48806 24955 13412 5482 E (kPa) 1055-1086 737-758 1869-1925 3656-3765 5249-5380 6346-6655 66532-68200 35211-36256 18004-18538 9676-9963 3955-4072

Figure 2 shows the oedometer curves obtained for Kym barley in the different tests carried out. For the remaining samples the curves were similar to those shown here.
0,85 0,80 0,75 Void Ratio (e) 0,70 0,65 0,60 0,55 0,50 0,45 1 10 100 Normal Pressure (lg ) 1000 Test n 1 Test n 2 Test n 3

FIG. 2. Oedometer curves obtained for Kym barley.

CONCLUSIONS As a general trend, the values of the different material properties are not affected by the test velocity, except in the case of the Poissons ratio. Values of the material properties considered in traditional methods, such as the angle of internal friction, the grain to wall friction coefficient or the specific weight, are similar to those reported by other authors (Britton and Moysey, 1986; Aguado, 1997; Guaita et al., 1996). Values of the angle of internal friction were similar when either direct shear tests or triaxial tests were carried out. No differences were observed between the results obtained using the square shear box and the circular shear box. There were no differences between the direct shear tests conducted with pre-consolidated samples and those carried out with unconsolidated samples.

More tests should be carried out in order to confirm these conclusions. Table 9 exhibits the recommended values of the different material properties determined in this work for the different samples.

TABLE 9. Recommended values of the different material properties determined in this work.
MATERIAL = S C 0.17 0.42 0.20 0.21 0.19 0.53 0.52 0.42 PROPERTIES 6760 7478 5528 4373 8672 8360 = 11.9 32.7 0 9.7 24.3 23.1 E 1078 3710 462 567 3500 3730 = 0.36 0.31 0.41 0.33 0.35 0.37 H(%) 11.92 13.71 10 6.34 10.46 11.15

Sample Kym barley Corn Prevision oats Sunflower Lentil vetch Camacho wheat

= 24.8 25 22.9 24 24.2 22.2

C (kPa) 5.50 18 2.50 18.50 7.50 9.50

S = Steel C = Concrete ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors acknowledge the Spanish Interdepartmental Commission for Science and Technology (CICYT) for funding this research AGF97-1141. The authors are grateful to AGROSA, S.A. Company for its help providing the seeds needed for the tests carried out at the laboratory. REFERENCES Airy, W. 1897. The pressure of grain. Minutes of proceedings, Institution of Civil Engineers, London, V. 131, p.p. 347-358. Ayuga, F., M. Guaita and P. Aguado. 2001. Static and Dynamic Silo Loads using Finite Element Models. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research. Vol. 78, No. 3, march 2001, pp. 299308. Ayuga, F.; M. Guaita; P. J. Aguado and A. Couto. 2001. Discharge and the Eccentricity of the Hopper Influence on the Silo Wall Pressures. Journal of Engineering Mechanics. ASCE. Vol. 127. N 10. Special Issue. Pp. 1067-1074. Britton, M. G. and E. B. Moysey. 1986. Grain properties in the proposed new engineering practice on bin loads. ASAE Paper. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE. 9 pp. ENV 1991-4. Eurocode 1: Basis of design and actions on structures. Part 4 : Actions on silos and tanks. Janssen H. A. 1895. Versuch ber Getreidedruck in Sillozellen. [Experiments on grain loads in silo cells]. Z. VDI. vol 39 pp. 1045-1049. Reimbert, M. and A. Reimbert. 1987. Silos. Theory and Practice. Lavoisier Publishing Inc., 564 pp