A METHOD FOR CALCULATING LATERAL PRESSURES ON SQUAT SILO WALLS

Big diameter squat silo is a type of large-capacity storage structure. The lateral pressure on walls of the silo caused by stored bulk materials is studied. A model based on the granular theory for the pressure calculation is developed. It is assumed that there are a wedge of material on one side exerting a maximum thrust on the wall and a plane called the plane of rupture on the other side. The effect of friction between the granular particle and the wall is negligible and the normal wall pressure is assumed to vary linearly with depth. The lateral pressure formula for squat silos is obtained. The results agree with that of the full-sized silo experiment better than the current code (Rankine theory) which may overestimate the pressure. The present model is widely applicable because it depands on the internal angle of friction of bulk solid and height/diameter ratio. Three cases with a top pile are discussed.