Jamming and critical outlet size in the discharge of a two-dimensional silo

Abstract

We present an experimental study of jamming in the discharge of grains through an
\nopening in a two-dimensional silo. For a wide range of outlet sizes, we obtain the size distribution
\nof avalanche defined as the number of grains that fall between two consecutive jams. From these
\ndistributions, we obtain the probability that the silo jams before N particles pass through the
\norifice. Then a simple model of arch formation is proposed that predicts the shape of the jamming
\nprobability function and reveals that it does not exist a critical size of the orifice above which
\nthere is not jamming.