Arching effect in sand piles under base deflection using geometrically non-linear isogeometric analysis

Arching effect is a universal phenomenon of the load transfer mechanism which is visually observed in the heaps of granular material. In this study, we adopt geometrically non-linear isogeometric finite element analysis to revisit the theoretical concept of the arching effect in the granular sand piles under base deflection with an assumption of elastic continuum theory. Through two studies of the planar and conical sand heaps, this work expects to supply the numerical results for double-checking some simple benchmarks before extending to the complicated problems. Herein, the reliability and accuracy of the present model are validated by checking the weight balance condition and comparing with some available literature. The numerical results demonstrate that the stress dip accompanying a significant shear stress mobilization at the base is formed immediately once the base deflection occurs. Furthermore, the trajectories of principal stresses are plotted to visually manifest the force propagation in the sand piles which enables us to explain the formation and shape of the arching effect.