Stress distribution in a sandpile formed on a deflected base

This paper presents a study of the pressure distribution beneath a sandpile by means of discrete element method. Simulations were performed with spheres of different properties for wedge-shaped sandpiles formed on bases of different degrees of deflection. The results are analyzed in terms of the stress distribution, and normal and shear pressure distributions beneath a sandpile. It is shown that the interparticle forces in a sandpile are highly disordered and mainly propagate with large force chains. Base deflection has a significant effect on the normal pressure distribution when a sandpile is formed with multisized particles and small sliding friction coefficients. However, it is not the sole factor leading to a normal pressure distribution with a dip, particularly when a sandpile is formed with monosized particles.