EFFECTS OF GRAIN MOISTURE-CONTENT ON DYNAMIC LOADS DURING DISCHARGE IN A MODEL CORRUGATED STEEL BIN

Tests were performed using a model corrugated steel bin to study the effect of grain moisture content on static and dynamic loads. Lateral pressures on the bin wall were measured at six depths during filling and emptying (discharge). Static and dynamic vertical resultant forces on the bin wall and on the bin floor were measured independently. Hard red spring wheat was tested at three moisture contents of 9%, 12%, and 16% wb. With increasing moisture content, static lateral pressure on the bin wall decreased, whereas static vertical resultant force on the bin wall increasd. During discharge, a lower dynamic lateral pressure was observed for grain with higher moisture content. Dynamic vertical force on the wall was in the same order of magnitude (0.7 kN) for 9% and 12% moisture contents. No dynamic vertical force was observed for 16% moisture content.