Silos are a crucial component of many industries, offering a means of efficient and dependable storage for bulk materials. Yet silos and bins fail at a higher rate than almost any other form of industrial equipment. To help ensure your silo can withstand the daily stresses from stored materials and loading/unloading, it is essential to make sure it is expertly engineered.

 

While some silo contractors rely on standard silo designs, this option takes a 'one size fits all' approach that fails to consider numerous essential aspects, including material characteristics, the seismic probability of your location, necessary silo capacity, and flow properties of your bulk materials.

 

Custom silo engineering provides a tailored solution that utilizes the safest and most suitable design components for your unique industry and specific material storage requirements. Taking these aspects into consideration from the start helps ensure optimal performance and safety of your silo.

 

When designing concrete silos, Marietta Silos follows the silo design codes outlined in the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 313-16: Design for Concrete Silos and Stacking Tubes for Storing Granular Materials. As a member of the ACI Committee, we stay on the cutting edge of the latest industry standards and updates.

 

Our team offers specialized silo engineering services tailored to specific industries, including aggregates, manufacturing, cement, coal, power, and more. We understand the unique requirements of each industry and how the proper silo design can optimize operations and increase efficiency. We also often work with an experienced silo engineer to help ensure the structures are designed to withstand external forces and the static pressures exerted by the type of stored material at rest and during flow.

 

During silo engineering, Marietta Silos considers the material flow characteristics of the bulk storage material as well as the static pressures, silo size, and more. Materials such as aggregates, by-products, cement, coal, fly ash, grain, and lime all flow at different rates and via different flow patterns through a silo. Understanding how a stored material flows through a silo determines whether the silo should be designed with a flat bottom, funnel flow, mass flow, or expanded flow.

 

In addition to considering static pressures of the intended bulk storage material, silo engineers also determine reinforcement arrangements necessary for the silo size and silo construction type, Jumpform, Slipform, or Stave. Loading and unloading needs are also important considerations, as the most critical portions of this design involve the lower part of the silo. This is where large loads from the stored material are channeled. An efficient flow pattern allows for the effective unloading of the silo.

 

Marietta Silos' knowledge and experience mean that our designs will be the best possible designs to fit your needs. Our engineering practices conform with the method that our construction crews utilize for our Jumpform and Slipform systems, so it's important to use Marietta Silos for your silo engineering as well as the silo construction.

 

Marietta Silos is dedicated to supporting the essential role that silos play in various industries. Our team of professionals stands ready to assist with a comprehensive range of silo-related needs, from the initial phases of design and construction to the ongoing maintenance and repair required for optimal operational performance.

 

We offer full spectrum silo services, from the fabrication and erection of new silos to the modification of existing structures.

 

Reach out today to explore our comprehensive silo services and discover how we can assist in fulfilling your requirements.

 

Concrete storage domes are an indispensable asset to many industries, providing secure and efficient storage for bulk storage of cement, gypsum, limestone, fly ash, frac sand, copper, iron carbide, coke, wood pellets, and more.

 

However, over time, these structures can become compromised by various factors, including weather conditions, material build-up, and normal wear and tear. When this occurs, it becomes essential to schedule comprehensive cleaning, inspection, and maintenance services to restore your dome to its optimal performance. To maintain optimal efficiency and productivity, it is crucial to schedule regular professional dome cleaning services.

 

The frequency of concrete dome cleaning services depends on several crucial factors. When you work with an expert silo cleaning company, like USA Silo Service, their highly-trained silo specialists can help provide you with a recommended dome cleaning schedule that should work for your specific industry and application. USA Silo Service, in conjunction with Marietta Silos, can also provide dome inspection services, maintenance, and restoration or repair for your concrete dome.

 

Learn more about dome cleaning services offered by USA Silo Service, or schedule your next dome repair or restoration service.

There are numerous considerations at the start of any silo construction project. While silos can seem like a relatively straightforward structure, a lot goes into silo engineering and construction. The many factors of silo construction and engineering, in addition to fluctuating material costs, make it impossible to set a standard cost of silo construction.

 

Working with an experienced silo engineering company can take the guesswork out of the project and make sure you start off on the right foot. Once you have determined the most appropriate quantity and size for your silo, it's natural to begin considering the silo construction costs and looking for ways to maximize your spend.

 

Steel and concrete are the most frequently utilized material for silo construction. Both steel and concrete silos are used in various industrial settings for bulk material storage of ash, coal, lime, aggregate and more. When comparing the two construction materials, concrete is the clear winner.

 

Not only are concrete silos far more durable than their steel counterparts, concrete silos are generally less expensive than metal silos, particularly when you consider the total cost of ownership. Steel silos suffer from expensive corrosion issues and are highly susceptible to structural failure from high winds and excessive internal pressure. Compared to steel, concrete has many benefits when it comes to designing and building silos, leading to less upkeep required to maintain their overall functionality and safety.

 

 

A well-maintained silo can and should last decades. When looking at silo construction cost, it's important to look beyond the upfront expense alone. Though concrete silos withstand more than steel silos, all silos require routine maintenance and inspection. A proactive inspection program can safeguard your team members and ensure your structures' safety and continued operation. Regular examinations can identify potential problems and avoid wall collapse, fractures, and deterioration of the structure, which may result in accidents or fatalities in the workplace.

 

 

Stave silos are constructed using staves, precast concrete blocks, that interlock. For added durability, Marietta Silos produces staves that are 5 ¾", versus the standard 2" thickness.

 

Slipform silos are constructed using a custom-built form system and a continuous pour that necessates silo completion before construction can be halted. Slipform silos have a smoother, joint-free, exterior. It is typically used for silos that are larger and 65' in diameter or when several concrete silos need to be constructed at once.

 

Jumpform silo construction is typically the most economical silo construction method thanks to the reusable silo framework that can be set up quickly. Jumpform silo construction is also one of the strongest silo construction types available as the controlled process makes it easy to check the quality of the reinforcement steel placement and equipment before pouring.

 

Ready to move forward with the construction of a new silo? Learn how to choose a silo contractor or schedule an inspection of your existing structure.