Mechanisms and Stability of Adhesion‐Controlled Arching in Granular Materials

ABSTRACT Arching in granular materials is a general phenomenon that exists in different domains of engineering such as underground excavations and particle flow in silos and hoppers. However, the arching effect in adhesive granular systems, which is common in practice, remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the influence of particle adhesion on the evolution of the arching effect through discrete element method (DEM) trapdoor simulations. A surface energy‐based adhesive interaction model was incorporated to represent varying adhesion strengths between particles. The results reveal three distinct arching patterns termed as progressive arching, structural arch, and beam‐arching patterns, corresponding to a transition from friction‐dominated to adhesion‐controlled arching mechanisms as particle adhesion increases. With higher adhesion, deformation becomes increasingly constrained, stress concentration intensifies, and volumetric changes are suppressed. Increasing burial depth further amplifies stress redistribution within stationary zones and demands stronger adhesion for stable arching formation. Microscopically, particle adhesion enhances the continuity and anisotropy of contact force chains while reducing porosity evolution, resulting in a more persistent load‐bearing arching. These findings provide a multiscale understanding of how adhesion modifies the stability and stress‐transfer mechanisms of the arching effect, offering valuable insights for predicting deformation, optimizing ground reinforcement, as well as mitigating clogging in particulate‐handling processes.

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