Characterization of moist pozzolana: stability and flow parameters

M. E. MÉDICI, O. A. BENEGAS, F. AGUIRRE, O. C. NOCERA, M. R. BAUDINO, R. O. UÑAC AND ANA M. VIDALES; IRENE IPPOLITO; R. O. UÑAC AND ANA M. VIDALES

MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES

SPRINGER

Año: 2011 p. 1 - 10

1359-5997

We present here experimental results on the flow and stability conditions for a granular system as a function of the moisture percentage present inside the sample. The granular material used in all the experiments was a pozzolanic ash frequently used in cement production. Water was added to the sample in order to obtain different moisture percentages measured in water weight over dry sample weight. We studied values up to 6%. Firstly, different stability angles were measured as a function of the moisture of the material. Secondly, we related these angles to some parameters of the flow of the material through a silo with different geometries and obtain a basic phase diagram for the flow. This phase diagram is of great help to set appropriate funnel and hopper conditions in silo devices often used in cement industries. Finally, some of our results are compared with basic theories and with our own simulation models in order to understand the behavior of wet granular systems.