Comparison of loads on smooth and corrugated-wall model grain bins
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1
Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, P.O. Box 201, 20-290 Lublin 27, Poland
2
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Acceptance date: 2000-11-10
Int. Agrophys. 2001, 15(2): 95-100
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ABSTRACT
Wall and floor loads exerted by wheat on a corrugated-wall model bin were measured. The 7.3 m high bin with a diameter of 2.44 m was centrally filled with wheat. Tests were conducted for a filling height to bin diameter ratio equal to 2.75 for center and off-center discharge conditions. Loads and the resultant moment of force were compared to the results of an earlier investigation performed with a smooth-wall bin of similar dimensions. Observed differences in the load response of the two bins can be attributed primarily to the difference in frictional behaviour of grain on smooth and corrugated galvanized steel. Only slight wearin effects on the corrugated-wall bin were observed during the initial period of operation. The dynamic-to-static wall load ratio on the corrugated-wall bin was observed in a range from 1.0 to 1.14 which was lower than similar values for the smooth-wall bin which ranged from 1.08 to 1.3. No slip-stick frictional effects or upward friction force, which were observed for the smooth-wall bin, occurred in the corrugated-wall bin. Resultant moments of force showed similar characteristics in both bins with maximum values occurring for a discharge orifice eccentricity ratio of about 0.7. The resultant moments for the corrugated-wall bin were approximately 3 times smaller than those measured for the smooth wall bin.