Discrete-particle investigation of friction effect in filling and unsteady/steady discharge in three-dimensional wedge-shaped hopper

The friction effect in filling and unsteady/steady discharge of three-dimensional wedge-shaped hopper was considered numerically by the discrete element method. The presented model is based on contact mechanics of a single spherical particle involving Hookeʹs law of spring interaction, static and dynamic friction as well as viscous damping forces. The hopper filling process en masse was performed while the modeling of uncontrolled and controlled discharge was simulated. The evolution of the kinetic energy of filling, the distribution of stresses within granular material and stresses acting on the walls, as well as the change in fields of material porosity were investigated at the stages of filling and discharge of the hopper. The variation of flow velocities, the discharged mass fractions as well as discharge fraction rates were analyzed. The friction effect was analyzed by varying inter-particle friction coefficient over the range of 0–0.6. A comparison of the numerical results with available continuum-based predictions was also presented.