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Following the rise of concrete in the early 1900s, silo construction methods began to expand rapidly from silo cellars to concrete stave silo construction. This silo construction method was followed closely by the development of slipform concrete silo construction. This new concrete construction method enabled the creation of a continuous structure that was free from joints and seams.
Today, slipform concrete silos are constructed much like they were when the method first appeared. First, a custom-built form system for both the silo interior and exterior is constructed. This includes an interior work deck as well as interior/exterior finishing scaffolding. The form is supported by jack rods that are attached to hydraulic jacks. As the concrete is poured for the silo walls, the form is raised at approximately one foot per hour until the structure is finished.
Construction of slipform silos requires an around-the-clock construction schedule as the silo must be finished before construction is halted. The finished product has a smooth outer finish, thanks to the continuous pouring of the concrete silo walls. Slipform construction is usually the method of choice for concrete silos that are more than 65' in diameter, or several concrete silos need to be constructed at once.
There are numerous benefits to keeping up with routine silo cleanings. Regular silo cleaning ensures efficient operation and can help limit potential liabilities. Regular cleanings also increase your silo's usable lifespan, minimize big-ticket repairs, and help you avoid more costly cleaning expenses that can result from emergency situations.
Hung up, clogged or slow running silos are a problem that will interfere with efficiency and profitability. In addition, material buildup deters the silo from reaching its full capacity. We have seen many cases where material buildup and blockages make it so a silo or silos can only store roughly half of the original capacity. Once a silo begins to lose flow, this accelerates the buildup over time and can lead to additional blockages. Therefore, the silo must be cleaned professionally if material buildup or other issues are visible.
Benefits of Routine Silo Cleaning
- Safety - A clean silo is the first step in protecting your stored materials, your silo's structural integrity, and your workers.
- Savings - Removing material buildup returns your silo to the original, full capacity, helps you recover lost material that can be sold, and helps you stick to production schedules.
- Scheduling - Sticking with a routine cleaning schedule lets you plan around your peak seasons and find a time that works best for you and minimizes downtime.
Schedule Silo Cleaning with the Pros
USA Silo Service is your go-to silo cleaning company for expert silo cleaning. Our team of experts is equipped with the industry's best silo cleaning techniques and proprietary equipment, so the job is done quickly and correctly. No matter your silo type or stored material, we clean it all - including storage domes.
So, when was your last silo cleaning? Schedule now and get back on track.
Though silos now regularly dot both agricultural and industrial landscapes throughout North America, they have only been in use since the late 19th century. From their origins as silo cellars that were dug into the ground to the first vertical silo developed in the early 1880s, silo construction methods have changed a great deal over time.
Early tower-style silos lacked their now-signature round shape and were often constructed of either wood or stone. Structural issues with these rectangular designs, including corner air pockets that allowed for spoilage, high susceptibility to bowing from internal pressure, and susceptibility to wind damage, quickly lead to developments. Silos constructed with a round design were found to withstand pressure from stored materials better.
By the 1900s, concrete became a common construction material and opened the doors to concrete stave silo construction methods still used today. Since developing the technology used for concrete stave silos in 1920, Marietta Silos has remained an industry leader in construction, inspection, and restoration. Concrete stave silos are constructed using precast concrete blocks, or staves, that are at least 2" thick and interlock. These staves are reinforced with exterior galvanized steel hoops that provide the necessary tension to compress silo walls and ensure structural integrity.
Marietta Silos relies on more than 100 years of concrete stave silo construction experience to design and build superior stave silos. We're also the only company in the U.S. that produces staves that are 5 ¾" thick for increased durability. Concrete stave silos from Marietta Silos offer versatility and flexibility, as well as economy. We can design concrete stave silos with many discharge types, including cone, flat floor, side discharge, and tunnel discharge.
