![]() In a normal, top-unloading tower silo, approximately 50 percent of the contained weight of silage is transmitted to the footings through the walls due to the friction effect. The effect of acid deterioration is compounded in that it attacks the bottom of the silo wall, which is also the part of the wall that carries the greatest amount of the vertical load. Since stave silo walls have relatively thin sections to start with, any corrosion will cause a significant reduction in the wall strength. As the effective thickness of concrete resisting the vertical load is reduced, the strength of the inner surface of the silo wall decreases. The corrosive action of silage acids reduces the ability of stave walls to carry the vertical friction load imposed by the contained silage. Acid attack eventually reduces the ability of the structure to carry these loads. Material placed into a tower silo creates vertical and horizontal loads or pressures. This, in turn, results in accelerated concrete deterioration. Ensiling higher moisture material leads to more fermentation and a higher level of acid production. As a result, larger silos often suffer more acid deterioration than smaller silos. These acid-laced silage juices are then forced into the tiny pores in the concrete. This creates increased squeezing on the ensiled mass, which creates even more free liquid and seepage. In any silo the highest pressure is at the bottom. Silage pressure plays a large part in determining the rate and extent of acid deterioration. the amount of protection given to the concrete on a continuous basis.the moisture content of the ensiled material.The rate and severity of this deterioration depends such factors as: Silage acids cause deterioration to both concrete cast-in-place (poured) silos and pre-cast, stave silos. Rylett Ltd, Consulting Structural Engineer Filling a silo with haylage or corn silage that has a higher than normal moisture content, will lead to seepage of corrosive liquids that weakens and damages a silo. Figure 2 shows the effect of placing material in the silo that is too wet. Without proper maintenance and repair, this can ultimately lead to silo failure. The same acids also corrode silo hoops, reinforcing steel or hardware associated with the silo. As the structure ages, there is a gradual decline in strength. When these acids touch the concrete silo walls, they react with the Portland cement matrix that binds the aggregates together. When moist plant material is put into a silo it goes through the ensiling process that produces silage acids, principally lactic and acetic acids. Most deterioration of conventional concrete tower silos is caused by the attack of silage acids. Rylett Ltd., Consulting Structural Engineer Silage acid ![]() A collapsing silo can be lethal and cause significant damage when falling onto another structure. Figure 1 shows the impact a silo collapse can have on surrounding buildings. The silos have fallen onto adjacent barns, injuring or killing animals, destroying property and ruining any silage or grain stored there. In Ontario, farm owners and workers have died because of a silo collapse. The collapse of a tower silo can have serious consequences. In recent years, the incidence of collapse of these structures has increased. ![]() Farmers continue to fill these older structures, often without considering the deterioration that may have occurred due to age, weathering and the effects of silage acid attack. ![]() With so much opportunity to enjoy the local wildlife outside, and plenty of entertainment inside (including a Netflix-equipped TV and a huge selection of board games), there’s something for absolutely everybody to enjoy.Many of Ontario’s older concrete tower silos are still in use today - despite the possible danger to humans and animals, as well as the loss of the stored product. Spend hazy summer evenings on the spacious stone patio, enjoying a sundowner or two…as the kids spend some time in the custom treehouse! There’s also a magnificent bathroom with two large showers, each with bench seats. Meanwhile, the four-storey silo features a gorgeous domed ceiling, and is home to three bedrooms. There’s so much to love about this unique haven, from the opulent master bedroom with its claw-foot bathtub, to the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, all centred around a breathtaking open stone fireplace. Yet you’ll feel deliciously cut off from civilisation in your timber-framed retreat, complete with its quirky, attached ‘bed and bathroom’ silo. Sleeping up to 14 guests, Stowe Barn and Silo is a one-of-a-kind stay for groups of family and friends who appreciate the natural world in all its glorious guises.įeaturing beautiful green mountain views, you’re just under 15 minutes away from the ski-lovers’ town of Stowe. ![]()
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