Bulk Storage Bin Design

[JSPstructureng]

Hi all,

I am designing a Storage facility that will house bulk material such as Limestone, Topsoil, Sand, Gravel, etc. These bins will all share a common back wall and have partitions separating the stalls. The stalls are to be roughly 35ft wide, deep & tall. I have looked at some existing facilities (that aren't as tall) and have noticed the walls are relatively thin (12"~15"). I have assumed that the material can be stacked to the brim so my pressure distribution would be similar to that of a retaining wall. I also will have a front-end loader on the slab moving material that could impose a surcharge load if pushing material against the wall. I am coming up with a massive
back wall (over 2ft thick and heavily reinforced) and would like some input if anyone has any experience or information (codes, articles, specs, books) relative to design processes like this. A quick sketch has been attached.

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=b6da281f-4fb5-4781-a25c-1c770be68ec3&file=bin.pdf

Thanks

 

[ChipB]

Very Nice! Looks like fun!

Given the deflection at the middle of the material bay has to be the same, use cantilever design vertically, and pinned-pinned (conservative) design horizontally, and force it to go two ways. Take the horizontal out by utilizing the material bay sidewalls as shear walls.

 

[JSPstructureng]

I have decided to design the storage bin as a counterfort retaining wall. The backwall will be designed as a plate that is fixed along three sides and the counterforts as t-beams that will be able to carry the full tensile load from the material.

 

[BAretired]

JSPstructureng,

I agree with the concept of using the partitions as counterforts. Would there be any merit in adding a fairly stocky continuous horizontal beam in the back wall outside of the bins at about twenty five feet in height? It could reduce the required thickness of the plate substantially.

Best regards,

BA