Silo Inspection
USA Silo Services provides thorough, accurate concrete and steel silo inspections that merge over a century of experience with the latest technology.
Silo inspection is the most effective, preventive method to ensure concrete and steel structures, surfaces, and silos. Regular maintenance and silo inspection increase your concrete's life and ensure the continued safety of those working around your structures. Proactive silo safety procedures should always include regular silo inspections to check for concealed damage and to assess visible problems that could lead to structural failure. Based on inspection results, preventive maintenance can be performed to avoid larger, more expensive repairs later. The cost of preventive maintenance and restoration is minimal compared to the financial and physical toll that a full collapse can have on your company and team.
Silo collapses are often the result of preventable structural failures that would have been identified during routine silo inspection.
Common issues 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 bin floor issues
Steel silos suffer from corrosion, which can be inspected using wear-measure thickness ultrasonic gauges.
Whether your inspection plan should follow annual, two- or five-year intervals depends on several key factors.
SILO INSPECTION POWERED BY AI
Our cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the way we approach silo inspection. Our AI Silo Inspection service delivers precise analytics through automation and artificial intelligence (AI) that enable digital twin 3D modeling of silo structures. This technology allows businesses to utilize AI-driven analytics to automate silo inspection management, track damage detection, and streamline budgeting and risk mitigation.
|
|
Silo Inspection Levels
USA Silo Services recommends regular inspection of concrete structures to ensure their continued safety. For all concrete storage silos, we recommend inspections every two to five years, depending on their condition and the amount of usage. If the silos are subject to extreme use, an annual inspection may be appropriate.
Following the silo inspection, a report will be issued documenting the inspector's findings and listing any restoration recommendations. If repairs are necessary, we can provide a proposal to complete the restoration through our sister company Marietta Silos or Marietta Inspection Services as appropriate.
Basic - Level 1 Inspection
Under Level 1, an inspector will complete a thorough, basic inspection. We will:
- Observe the walls, foundation and roof from the ground or other locations as available
- If possible, observe the silo discharge area
- Level 1 +AI adds the AI Supplemental Inspection
Augmented - Level 2 Inspection
Level 2 inspection is a more thorough examination by a crew that includes all items listed in the Level 1 inspection as well as:
- Sounding of the concrete for delamination
- Non-destructive thickness testing of the exposed silo cone area
- If possible, an inspection of the silo interior through the roof and wall openings
- An interior inspection accomplished through vessel entry, as needed
- And if necessary, a silo design engineer can review the inspection findings
- Level 2 +AI adds the AI Supplemental Inspection
Comprehensive - Level 3 Inspection
Inspection Level 3 will include Level 1 and Level 2 procedures along with:
- Exterior and interior rigging to allow the inspector to observe the walls
- This level of inspection includes the services of a senior silo design engineer to observe the silo and make recommendations
- Level 3 +AI adds the AI Supplemental Inspection
Regardless of the silo inspection level chosen, every effort will be made to determine the silo or concrete structure's condition and identify problem areas. Following the silo inspection, a report will be issued documenting the inspector's findings and listing any repair recommendations. If restoration is necessary, Marietta Group can provide a proposal to complete these repairs through Marietta Silos or Marietta Inspection Services as appropriate.
SILO INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Much of this damage is easily preventable through routine silo inspection and maintenance. Third-party inspections, maintenance and restoration services are the best way to manage safety on any scale. Many structural issues can be easily and economically addressed if caught early. If you have not had your silo inspected recently and have concerns about visible signs of silo damage, do not wait. Call USA Silos Service today to set up a silo inspection that best fits your needs.
Silo Inspection Components
All of our inspections examine aspects known to be potential areas of failure. In general, this includes foundations, walls and roofs. For concrete silos, it also includes cones or discharge configuration.
Silo Foundations
A strong foundation is integral to wall stability and the overall safety of the workplace or structure. Cracking foundations and earth erosion around the foundation are relatively easy to identify during general inspection if above grade. Other issues, such as settlement, can only be determined through close examination by a qualified professional.
Silo Walls
Walls are placed under an enormous amount of stress horizontally and vertically during the concrete structure or silo's normal useful life. These stresses can result in horizontal, vertical or diagonal cracking of the concrete walls or offset stave joints in stave silo construction. Cracked silo walls can indicate delamination, which greatly comprises the structural integrity of steel reinforcement in the silo wall and can potentially lead to failure or collapse if not repaired immediately.
Silo Cones, Floors, Shelves and Tunnels
Silo discharge cones are frequently at the forefront of silo failures. Silo discharge cones are of utmost concern in being inspected for wear, weld condition and structural integrity. Silo floors, shelves, and tunnels are particular areas of concern regarding concrete deterioration. They typically involve an interface of steel and concrete that can draw moisture, introduce or show signs of movement relative to the structure and lead to water and material leaks.
Silo Roofs
As with any structure, the roof generally receives the brunt of physical and environmental abuse. Proper roof maintenance is needed to keep the materials within the silo safe and dry and prevent further damage to other concrete structures. Silo roofs are subject to abuse from overfilling, explosions, vibrations and movement during silo loading or unloading and overloading, as well as environmental abuse. A buildup of excess material leaking from conveyors on top of the roof can put undue stress on the internal infrastructure and lead to roof sag, increasing the risk of collapse.
Mobile Inspection Trailer
USA Silo Services can now work in tandem to complete inspections and restoration in one mobilization. Inspections and most repairs can be finished using common materials and some pre-engineered solutions adapted from years of silo industry experience. Combined inspection and restoration services save you thousands by eliminating redundant labor and multiple trips and get your silo running safely again faster.
Our mobile staging trailer is configured to transport instrumentation, tools and support equipment needed in the field to ensure the safety and efficiency of our field crews. Our standard on-site equipment package includes all materials and equipment required to maximize personnel safety per the OSHA Confined Space Standard 29 CFR 1910.146.
In the trailer, we transport all necessary equipment to go through the silo interior during an inspection. In addition, the trailer also carries equipment to install hanging inspection baskets to the exterior of the silo used to raise and lower an inspector from grade to the roof at any area on the silo exterior. We include a full array of inspection equipment, including concrete testing equipment, steel thickness measuring devices, and equipment to detect delamination on concrete and concrete walls.
To safeguard our inspectors, we provide air monitoring equipment to ensure that the environment that the inspector is being lowered into is safe for human access. Also included is equipment for emergency retrieval. If requested, we can stock the trailer with some silo restoration equipment and materials to do small repairs on-site at the time of inspection. This option can save the customer a tremendous amount of money and downtime. Our branded trailer serves as a focal point for USA Silo Services field staff, customer facility personnel and independent contractors who collaborate with us on silo construction, inspection and safety presentations throughout the United States.
