How to design large-diameter silos that last
Material characteristics, operating requirements, and site conditions that cause only minor problems in small-diameter silos can cause large-diameter silos to perform improperly and, in some cases, collapse. This article explains how understanding these variables can help you design a silo that will function properly without failing.
Because of their size, large-diameter silos are subject to more performance and structural problems than small-diameter silos. Material characteristics, operating requirements, and site conditions that have little or no effect on the performance or structure of small-diameter silos can impair the performance and damage the structure of large-diameter silos. In fact, in the last 12 years, several large-diameter silos have collapsed, and others designed to American Concrete Institute [ACI] standards for large-diameter silos have failed.