Regular Silo Cleaning: Maintain Proper Flow of Materials
Just as routine silo inspections are an essential component of your maintenance program, so too are routine cleanings. Regularly cleaning your silo can help keep it operating efficiently and limit potential liabilities. Regular cleanings also increase your silo’s usable lifespan, minimize big ticket repairs, and avoid more costly cleaning expenses. Silos that are emptied regularly […]
Silo Flow Patterns: Funnel Flow vs Mass Flow?
Construction, cone angles, and the type of stored material are all factors that influence how material moves through storage silos. Funnel Flow Funnel flow silos are usually more cost effective to construct, costing between 20-30% less than mass flow silos, but are not suitable for all materials. The flow channel drains material in the middle […]
Prevent Cement Hydration in Silos – Reduce Moisture, Ensure Flow
The quality of your stored cement can be compromised by the conditions on top of and inside your cement silo. In fact, no matter the design or the materials stored, silos are susceptible to material flow issues. Material flow that is unimpeded by moisture or other issues is essential for smooth operations and the continued […]
Do You See Cracks In Your Concrete Stave Silo Walls?
Concrete stave silos are constructed using precast concrete blocks, or staves, that interlock. Stave silos are reinforced with exterior, galvanized steel hoops which help compress walls and provide the necessary tension for structural integrity. When it comes to the structural integrity of your concrete stave silo, it’s important to look at the condition of the […]
Protect Your Silo from Ratholing and Asymmetric Flow
No matter the design or the materials stored, silos are susceptible to material flow issues caused by blockages. Buildup in the silo is an indication of ratholing and potentially asymmetric flow, which can increase pressure loads inside silo walls. When you have buildup in the silo, the loads associated with asymmetric flow can be detrimental […]
Do You Have Cracks in Your Cement Slipform Silo Walls?
Prevention is the most effective method to ensure the integrity of concrete structures, surfaces and silos. A proactive maintenance and inspection program is crucial to increase the life of your concrete and ensure the safety of those working around your structures. A proactive safety program should always include annual or semi-annual inspections to check for […]
Maintaining Silo Roof Structure and Integrity
Like all structures, silos degrade over time. This natural and inevitable deterioration can lead to safety hazards such as falling debris, leaks, wall failure, roof failure, and/or structural failure. When it comes to the silo structure, the roof and its design is a crucial component. In addition to this, proper maintenance of the silo roof […]
Cement Silos vs. Steel Silos, Jumpform vs. Slipform
Early storage silos, primarily used by farmers for the bulk storage of corn, were built using wood, brick, stone or galvanized steel throughout the late 19th century. The use of concrete for the construction of storage silos revolutionized the industry in the early 20th century and expanded the use of storage silos beyond the farm. Today, […]
Types of Silo Repairs to Prevent Silo Collapse or Silo Failure
Collapses are often the result of preventable structural failures that would have been identified during routine inspection. Common problems that cause concrete structure and concrete silo failure include foundation deterioration, roof collapse due to roof beam structural issues, improper material filling and unloading procedures in silos, silo wall delamination or deterioration, silo discharge cone or […]
When to Schedule A Silo Inspection?
Regular silo inspections, on annual, two- or five-year intervals, can help identify problems that increase the risk of structure collapse. Based on inspection results, preventive maintenance can be performed to avoid larger more expensive repairs later. Time, weather and usage are all contributors to the degradation of silo structures. The signs of degradation and the […]