Cement Storage Facility

[passiveactive]

What is the proper value(equivalent fluid density) of portland cement with regards to lateral pressure on a vertical wall that retains dry cement powder?

Also, is it correct to assume 1 sack(94 lbs) of cement(dry) is equivalent to 1 cu. ft. of volume?

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[CANPRO]

I wouldn't just assume the sack of cement is a ft3...but the density of dry portland cement is around 1500 kg/m3 (94 lbs/ft3), so your assumption is correct. I'm not sure what the equivalent fluid density would be...a little bit of google may help.

 

[SrVaro]

Another item to consider; is the 94 pcf the compacted or the bulk density? For structures that I design the structural density will be for a compacted material that is generally greater than the bulk weight. I have not designed any cement handling structures but the compacted structural density can be anywhere betweeen 20% to 50% of the bulk density.

 

[DST148]

Ref: Design of walls, bins, and grain elevators by Milo Smith Ketchum - Angle of repose = 37.5 degrees, ratio of lateral pressure to vertical pressure = 0.32.
As ad aside: The pressures on the walls of the containers storing granular materials vary considerably during filling and emptying operations. If required, you may refer to ACI 313 for design of silos for stacking granular materials.

 

[hawkaz]

This can vary- The supplier will know the exact number for their product.

I have seen it vary from 90 pcf to 110 pcf

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Just make sure it can't get wet!!!

 

[JStephen]

You will also get vertical shear forces that need to be included in the design, unlike liquid loading.