Concrete walling thickness

[Feldspar]

We will be putting up a grain store with 4m high concrete panels to hold about 1800t of grain. Just curious on people's views on the best thickness of concrete panels. Currently have assumed 150mm thick panels, but curious whether going to 180mm or thicker offers any advantages? Any views appreciated.

 

[Andrew K]

We are storing grain at 4m plus height with 150mm panels made by Jones bros with no problems. Ours are cast into the concrete floor on the bottom layer , rather than sitting on top though.

 

[Will Blackburn]

Bay size?

 

[Feldspar]

Bay size?

6m

 

[quattro]

I’ve a store with grain panels 6 metres high and grain to top of panel rising to 7.5 metres in the middle of the shed
150mm thick panels

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Just about to build one 4 m tall with 150mm

 

[Lakesdigger]

We will be putting up a grain store with 4m high concrete panels to hold about 1800t of grain. Just curious on people's views on the best thickness of concrete panels. Currently have assumed 150mm thick panels, but curious whether going to 180mm or thicker offers any advantages? Any views appreciated.

Would be worth asking panel supplier what they recommend as despite them supposed to be manufactured to a set standard not all are created equal.

 

[Feldspar]

Just about to build one 4 m tall with 150mm

Getting conflicting advice on whether 4m storage of grain without stirrers is doable.

 

[Feldspar]

Would be worth asking panel supplier what they recommend as despite them supposed to be manufactured to a set standard not all are created equal.

Are they going to talk in rated strength in units of kN rather than how many tonnes of grain I can store against them? I probably could research it, but I don't know off the top of the head what the pressure exerted by stored grain is in the context of a grain store.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Getting conflicting advice on whether 4m storage of grain without stirrers is doable.

yeah, it will depend on MC and how long its going to be there for I guess? The difference in cost between 3 and 4 m was so small it was daft not too.

it will be a novelty not having to watch the roof as I push up knowing I can go too high!

 

[Lakesdigger]

Are they going to talk in rated strength in units of kN rather than how many tonnes of grain I can store against them? I probably could research it, but I don't know off the top of the head what the pressure exerted by stored grain is in the context of a grain store.

I couldn't tell you tbh but you likely won't be the first person they've supplied panels to who was building a grain store. Re you're original question there's no benefit going thicker than is needed strength wise but if you go too thin you'll know about it.
Do you not need loading calcs for steel sizing?

 

[Feldspar]

I couldn't tell you tbh but you likely won't be the first person they've supplied panels to who was building a grain store. Re you're original question there's no benefit going thicker than is needed strength wise but if you go too thin you'll know about it.
Do you not need loading calcs for steel sizing?

Already got building quote with steel sizes and concrete panels with 150mm thickness. We are being guided too by tax case law where panel thickness came into the details of the case. I was just checking that the thicker sizes did offer anything I hadn't thought of.

 

[quattro]

Getting conflicting advice on whether 4m storage of grain without stirrers is doable.

are you wanting to just store dry grain and keep it cool

 

[Courier]

Already got building quote with steel sizes and concrete panels with 150mm thickness. We are being guided too by tax case law where panel thickness came into the details of the case. I was just checking that the thicker sizes did offer anything I hadn't thought of.

Tax law may be relevant financially but you absolutely MUST get the engineering right - The total mass of grain in the store is irrelevant, its the height which causes the loading.

The panel manufacturer should be able to advise and warranty their product or go somewhere else - It's about the quantity and design of the (Hidden) reinforcing steel in the panel more than the thickness...

Dry grain (12%) can be stored 12 metres deep no problem and nothing new.

 

[dirty harry]

Why not do 180 panels from bottom to 2m high then 150 on top layers? - if they’ll interlock ok? cheers dh

 

[Doing it for the kids]

I don’t think they interlock very Well

 

[Feldspar]

Tax law may be relevant financially but you absolutely MUST get the engineering right - The total mass of grain in the store is irrelevant, its the height which causes the loading.

The panel manufacturer should be able to advise and warranty their product or go somewhere else - It's about the quantity and design of the (Hidden) reinforcing steel in the panel more than the thickness...

Dry grain (12%) can be stored 12 metres deep no problem and nothing new.

We have now decided to store only to 3.6m high and level fill the store as we will dry as well as cool on an air floor. Will check on the reinforcing. Thanks.

 

[Feldspar]

are you wanting to just store dry grain and keep it cool

We will get a hardwood floor and so intend to dry as well as cool.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

We will get a hardwood floor and so intend to dry as well as cool.

£££ ouchie

 

[Fraserb]

Why not do 180 panels from bottom to 2m high then 150 on top layers? - if they’ll interlock ok? cheers dh

You can get them made to suit, we have a shed with 150 below the ground to retain fill then 100mm above, the v in the 150 is offset to suit.