Tips on designing and constructing steel bulk storage bins
Bulk storage bins are very similar to liquid storage tanks. The difference lies in the nature of the stored material and its interaction with the bin wall. This article addresses some of the typical problems you may encounter when designing and constructing steel bins to store dry materials.
There are no US standards or codes for designing and constructing steel bins that store bulk materials. Though several bin-design publications exist, only a few give suggestions on selecting the best steel, preventing buckling and brittle fracture, choosing a roof design, considering flow patterns, calculating anticipated loads, evaluating temperature factors, and designing large openings. This article looks at these typical concerns and offers some practical design tips.