Janssen effect and the stability of quasi-two-dimensional sandpiles

Abstract

We present the results of three-dimensional discrete element simulations of global normal stresses in quasitwo- dimensional sandpiles formed by pouring monodispersed cohesionless spherical grains into a vertical granular Hele-Shaw cell. We observe the Janssen effect which is the phenomenon of pressure saturation at the bottom of the container. Simulation of cells with different thicknesses shows that the Janssen coefficient is a function of the cell thickness. Dependence of global normal stresses as well as on the friction coefficients between the grains p and with walls w are also studied. The results show that in the range of our simulations usually increases with the wall-grain friction coefficient. Meanwhile by increasing p while the other system parameters are fixed, we witness a gradual increase in to a parameter dependent maximal value