Asymmetric mobilization of arching effect in granular materials: the role of fabric

Abstract

We present an experimental and DEM investigation of the arching effect by focusing on the trapdoor test, with an emphasis on the effect of fabric orientation which is created by depositing particles at various directions. The results indicate that the arching effect is the weakest when the deposition plane is oriented at θ = 30°, which is manifested by the largest arching ratio for the trapdoor part and the most considerable particle movement. The arching effect mobilization is found to be asymmetric, apart from the cases θ = 0° & 90°. The arching ratio for the left bottom part is on average lower than that for the right bottom part, and the vertical particle displacement for the neighbouring zone at the left of trapdoor is comparably larger. The asymmetric mobilization of arching effect, as well as the occurrence of the weakest arching effect at θ = 30°, is also clarified.