High Consolidation Testing:
When designing gravity reclaim stockpiles or large funnel flow storage bins, higher consolidation pressures need to be considered. Measurement of the bulk strength at high consolidation stresses allows calculation of draw-down angles and critical rathole dimensions for use in stockpile, expanded flow and reclaim bin design.
Testing with undisturbed Storage Time:
Many bulk materials gain cohesive strength when left undisturbed for a period of time, in particular in the presence of inter-particle moisture and clay. In those situations, time consolidation test work should be carried out to determine the amount of strength gained after undisturbed storage to allow design parameters to be calculated for these conditions. This test work is required in order to correctly design any hopper underneath a bin or stockpile, where the bulk material may sit at rest for a period in excess of three hours. The time consolidation behaviour of a bulk solid also influences the ratholing characteristics in large funnel-flow silos and gravity reclaim stockpiles.
