Do Your Bolted Steel Silo Joints Leak?
Steel silo construction is widely applicable to both industry and agricultural uses. Whether storing grain or fly ash, steel silos — like all storage silos — must keep stored materials safe until they are needed for use. As with other silo designs and stored materials, steel silos are likewise susceptible to material flow issues, leaking […]
Is your silo plugged?
Storage silos are used in almost every industry to store materials safely until they are needed for use, but no matter the design or the materials stored, silos are susceptible to material flow issues caused by blockages. Blockages not only lead to a reduced storage capacity and disrupted or slowed operations, they also promote […]
Jumpform and Silpform Silos | Ask Mr. Silo Blog
The two most common systems for constructing a concrete silo are Jumpform and Slipform. Concrete storage silos from 10' to 65' in diameter can be built using the Jumpform technique, while Slipform silos are best for construction projects over 65' in diameter. Jumpform construction is one of the most flexible silo construction methods available in […]
Silo Inspections are the New Normal
Prevention is the most effective method to ensure the integrity and continued operation of your silo. Regular maintenance and inspections can increase the life of your silo and ensure the safety of those working around your structures. Though frequent inspections should be conducted in-house to catch warning signs early on it is important to understand […]
Concrete Stave Silos
Concrete stave silos are reinforced with exterior, galvanized steel hoops, which help compress the walls and provide necessary tension for structural integrity. The concrete staves act to distribute the load of the material over the hoops. The hoops are the primary structural stabilizer of the silo and for this reason; it’s essential to inspect the […]
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 […]