The mechanism of load transfer in granular materials utilizing tactile pressure sensor technology

The load transfer in granular systems is highly influenced by the arching mechanism, which is related to the ability of discrete particles to interact in such a way as to redistribute forces, bridging over zones of less resistance/stiffness to those of greater resistance/stiffness. The presented research employed tactile sensor technology to investigate two applications associated with arching of granular material: (1) the pressure dip beneath granular heaps, and (2) stresses on and around a model tunnel. The scope of the former application included: (i) multiple experiments that involved the measurement of the pressure distribution beneath conical piles of sand deposited from a fixed point source (axisymmetric conditions), and (ii) the design and construction of a trough-like apparatus which was employed to deposit long sand piles in order to investigate the resulting base pressure distribution under plane strain conditions. The scope of the latter application involved simulating the vertical movement of a buried structure under plane strain conditions with a trap door apparatus, and measuring the pressure distribution that resulted on and adjacent to the door under active conditions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...