Vertical pressure under a conical stockpile?

[sdz]

Does anyone know how to calculate the vertical pressure under a conical stockpile?
I believe it should be somewhere between the average; density * 1/3 height; and the "hydrostatic" value; density * height.

 

[Focht3]

You can get a pretty good approximation using one of the charts out of Poulos' book on elastic methods. As I recall, it has several charts for a circular loaded area - treat the conical load as a stack of "hockey pucks" with a steadily reducing diameter. Since the analysis is elastic, you can simply superimpose the results -



Please see FAQ731-376 for great suggestions on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.