Granular Flow in a Vertically Vibrating Hopper

The behavior of the flow of glass spheres in a vertically vibrating hopper is examined. A two-dimensional hopper is mounted on a shaker that provides sinusoidal, vertical vibrations. Both the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations are adjustable. Hopper discharge rates and flow patterns are measured as the acceleration amplitude of the vibrations is increased from 0 to 4g's. Comparisons are made with unvibrated hopper flows and with a two-dimensional discrete element simulation model.