Particular Stress Distributions in Granular Wedges under Coulomb Friction Inequality

Constitutive relation governs the performance of stress distribution prediction in granular heaps. However, there is no unique closure of stress relation which can generally characterize the pattern of weight transmission. Under the rigorous theory of continuum mechanics, this study proposes the generalized formulation of admissible stress field solutions satisfying Coulomb friction inequality. The governing equation of stress distributions involving the trajectories of principal axes can be essentially formulated to non-homogeneous second-order linear differential equation. Derivations of particular stress distribution regularized by the closures of fixed principal axes, polarized principal axes and its extension are presented. It is found the trajectories of major compressive stress could be considered as arching criterion.