Silos for Agribusiness

We have designed a large number of silos for the Agribusiness and Grain Storage industry. Silo designs range from small low tonnage hoppers up to 1000 Tonne Rail loading facility silos. Generally speaking, agribusiness silos are lighter duty than those located in a mining environment. We understand the differences in the industrial requirements and we can optimise a design to suit our clients specific needs, thereby providing fit for purpose engineering rather than a one size fits all approach.

Our in-house Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capabilities support our extensive industry experience in this sector. We can produce designs for a variety of storage requirements with thin gauge steel used for the silo shells and cones and structural steel for items such as the columns and ring beams.

A bespoke design approach means we can tailor the silo design to our client’s requirements. This might mean additional loading from overhead conveyors and walkways or special requirements for the foundations.

To design the foundation, our team used advanced engineering software, including Space Gass and Structural Toolkit, to conduct a detailed structural analysis. The analysis simulated various loading conditions and assessed the foundation’s ability to resist bending moments, punching shear, and maximum bearing pressure. The primary goal was to ensure that the foundation could handle the silo’s operational and environmental stresses without experiencing settlement or failure. By conducting these calculations, we ensured the foundation would meet all performance requirements and be stable under all anticipated loads.

To further ensure the foundation’s durability, we designed the minimum required steel reinforcement to control cracking and address shrinkage requirements. This reinforcement design was tailored to the silo’s specific load-bearing requirements and environmental conditions. By optimising the steel reinforcement, we provided additional protection against cracking and other potential structural issues.

As part of the project, we performed detailed load calculations to verify the foundation’s capacity to withstand various stresses. These calculations were essential to ensure that the foundation would be able to support the silo’s weight and resist potential settlement issues. We specifically focused on verifying the foundation’s resistance to punching shear, bending moments, and maximum bearing pressure. Additionally, we assessed potential ground settlement to ensure the long-term stability of the foundation.

With advanced engineering software and a meticulous approach to design and analysis, ARP delivered a comprehensive and reliable solution for the silo foundation for our client. Our team ensured that the design met all Australian Standards and was optimised for long-term stability and performance. The project was successfully completed with detailed construction documentation, ensuring that the silo foundation would serve its intended purpose for many years to come.

The final deliverable included detailed construction drawings for the foundation, which were developed to guide the construction team during the build phase. These drawings included all necessary dimensions, materials, and reinforcement details, ensuring that the foundation would be constructed accurately and according to plan.