Establishing stress state of cylindrical metal silos using finite element method: Comparison with ENV 1993

There is at present a great deal of interest in developing new methods and calculation tools for use in the study and measurement of stress states in shell metal structures. The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method which permits this kind of study, and which is put forward in the European experimental standard, ENV 1993, as an accurate and reliable calculation tool. This study presents different three-dimensional models whose distinguishing feature is the simulation of both stored granular material and silo walls, without resorting to simplifications. The models developed predict the stress state of cylindrical metal silos flat bottomed, subjected to the action of stored granular material in their interior. The behaviour assigned to the stored material is elastic, and that assigned to the structure is the classical bilinear elastic-perfectly plastic, typical of metallic materials such as steel. Two geometric parameters are analysed: height and thickness of the wall. The results obtained from numerical methods (hoop, meridional or vertical, normal and shear stresses) are compared with those obtained via ENV 1993-1-6.