Failure of cylindrical steel silos composed of corrugated sheets and columns and repair methods using a sensitivity analysis

The paper deals with failure of large cylindrical steel silos composed of horizontally corrugated sheets with vertical stiffeners. The failure reasons were discussed. A linear buckling and a non-linear analysis with geometric and material non-linearity were carried out with a perfect and an imperfect silo shell (with different initial geometric imperfections) by taking into account axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric loads imposed by a bulk solid following Eurocode 1. The 3D FE calculations were carried out with the commercial finite element code “Abaqus”. The calculated buckling forces were compared with the allowable one given by Eurocode 3. Repair methods of silos against buckling were proposed. A sensitivity analysis was performed for a silo to predict the location and profile type of strengthening elements.

Metal cylindrical silos built in Poland: (a) view on silo battery and (b) view on buckled vertical column of empty silo.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► We deal with failure of large cylindrical metal silos composed of corrugated sheets.
► We carry out 3D FE buckling calculations with the finite element code “Abaqus”.
► We propose repair methods of silos against buckling.
► We predict strengthening elements by using a sensitivity analysis.
► We conclude that the buckling column strength by Eurocode 3 is on the very safe side.