Simulation of the pressure distribution under a two-dimensional heap of polygonal particles

Abstract

Granular heaps in two dimensions are studied using the molecular dynamics method with convex polygons. The angle of repose shows a dependence on the size dispersion of the particles. There is a pressure minimum under the apex of the heap which depends strongly on the way the heap is built. The results and the comparisons with the experiments suggest that there is not such a thing as a generic pressure distribution for granular heaps.