Finite element analysis under different boundary conditions of the filling of cylindrical steel silos having an eccentric hopper

A three-dimensional finite element analysis was made of the filling of cylindrical silos having an eccentric hopper, using different boundary conditions—silos supported at the transition or on discrete columns. The analysis included the options of the presence or absence of reinforcement in the transition and walls. The results for the pressures on the wall for a flexible wall and all the boundary conditions were compared with those for a silo with a rigid wall. The membrane stresses and meridional and circumferential bending moments were then evaluated in the silo wall and in the reinforcing elements. Lastly, the influence of the eccentricity of the hopper in a silo of intermediate eccentricity was analysed, and conclusions were drawn for the optimal design of these structures.