US3486282A

US3486282A - Silo construction

Info

Publication number: US3486282A
Application number: US698004A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merton Thomas Moriarity
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-02-27
Filing date: 1968-01-15
Publication date: 1969-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 1986-12-30

Description

"Dec. 30, 1969 7 M. T. MORIARITY 3,486,282

SILO CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.) F162 FIG.3

Dec. 30., 1969 M.'T. MORlARlTY 3,486,282

SILO CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15, 1968 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 30, 1969 M. T MORIARITY 3,486,282

SILO CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 30, 1969 M. T. MORIARITY 3, 6,

SILO CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIGI2 United States Patent 0 US. Cl. 52-234 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A prefabricated cellular silo construction using precast box members and panels preferably of concrete, such that the interconnection together of box members only and box members with panels forms an array of storage compartments which are separated one from another by only a single Wall. The silo may be built to any desired storage capacity by assembling the box members and panels one upon another to a predetermined height, and by forming the compartments of a selected cross-sectional area. The box members and panels may include means therein for prestressing the same horizontally and/or vertically.

This invention relates to structural units for use in the construction of buildings and particularly for use in bin type structures such as grain storage silos. Silos of this type are generally of a tubular configuration.

In some prior art constructions, the practice has been to employ a series of tubular, open-ended one piece building units. These units are stacked and interbonded in an aligned relationship to make up the silo or elevator receptacle. However, such constructions involve the provision of a great many interior walls of double thickness i.e., each interior wall is formed by placing adjacent one another the side walls of other and separate tubular building units, resulting in excess weight and the use of greater quantities of building materials. Accordingly, the useful load capacity of such a silo construction is reduced considerably. Furthermore, costs are high owing to the fact that the quantities of building materials are not minimized to the extent possible, and are used inetiiciently.

Another type of prior art construction employs only building units in the form of single panels. To build a silo receptacle of this type, very large numbers of these panels are connected together. This type of silo receptacle has an equally large number of joints, each of which represents a potential weak spot in its structural make-up, and the silo requires a considerable amount of time and effort to assemble.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated silo construtcion which has an improved useful load capacity.

Another object of the improved silo construction to be described is to permit a reduction in the amount of building material required for use therein. The present silo comprises an array of storage compartments made up by interconnecting precast box members and panels, such that each storage compartment is separated from another by only a single wall.

Still another object of the improved silo construction is to facilitate fairly rapid assembly thereof by forming cellular storage compartments, each of which is separated one from another by only one wall. These compartments are made up by the interconnection together of precast box members only, and box members with precast panels such that each compartment is separated from another by only one wall.

These objectives and similar features may be found in a prefabricated storage silo having an array of storage compartments separated one from another by only a single wall, and being adapted to enable the filling and withdrawal of material to be stored therein, the array of storage compartments comprising in combination; a multiplicity of preformed panel members each having flange means provided along two opposite edges thereof and being disposed to enclose an angle therewith, the flange means along each edge being a mirror image of the flange means along the other edge; a plurality of box members each consisting of a pair of said panel members and connecting walls, said pair of panel members being spaced apart and integrally connected through said flange means thereon to the connecting walls to define a unitary openended box member of a multi-sided cross-section; said flange means on adjacent panel members and box members being adapted to be disposed in a mating relationship for enabling connecting together of said members; and connecting means for securing the panel and box members together with said members being discrete units one to another, such that some of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection together of box members only, while others of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection of box members to panel members.

In a more preferred form, the present invention is embodied in a prefabricated storage silo having an array of storage compartments each being separated one from another by only one wall and being adapted to enable storing material therein and Withdrawal of material therefrom, the array of storage compartments comprising in combination; a multiplicity of precast panel members each having flange means provided along two opposite edges thereof, said flange means being disposed to enclose an angle with the plane of the panel member, each flange means being a mirror image of the other; a plurality of box members each consisting of a pair of said panel members and a couple of connecting walls, said pair of panel members being spaced apart and integrally connected through the flange means thereon to the connecting walls for defining a unitary open-ended box member of substantially rectangular cross-section; the flange means on the panel and box members being complementary in form so as to be positionable in a mating relationship for enabling connecting said members together; and connecting tie means mounted in orifices in the flange means on each of said panel and box members and being operative for connecting the same together as discrete units, such that some of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection together of box members only while others of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection of box members to panel members.

The present silo construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a side elevation view of a prefabricated silo as set forth herein;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the prefabricated silo of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view taken in section along line 33 of FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of a foundation structure for the prefabricated silo of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded plan view taken in section along line 44 of FIGURE 1 showing construction detail of the prefabricated silo of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are plan views taken in section of a portion of adjacent units showing details of the interconnection of the building units of the persent silo construction;

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view taken in section along line 77 of FIGURE 4 showing detail of one embodiment of the horizontal joints between two superimposed building units of the type described herein;

FIGURE 8, 9 and 10 are diagrammatic representations of further arrangements of the building units;

FIGURE 11 is an end view, in section, similar to FIG- URE 3, and showing another embodiment of a foundation structure for the prefabricated silo described; and

FIGURE 12 is an elevation view, in section, similar to FIGURE 7 and showing another embodiment of the horizontal joints between two superimposed building units.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, a prefabricated silo receptacle 1 rests on a foundation structure 10. The silo receptacle 1 consists of an array of storage compartments (FIGURE 4) which are made up from a plurality of precast building units in the form of box members 2 and panels 4 placed side by side and superimposed one upon another in arrangements to be described below.

The foundation structure 10 which supports the silo 1 and its contents (not shown) is described in one embodiment with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3. Footings 100 support vertical foundation walls 102 in a conventional manner. A trough 104 consists of a base section 1106, upwardly and outwardly extending arm sections 108 integrally secured to said base section, and outwardly extending flange sections 110 which are integral with the free end of each of said arm sections 108, said flange sections being substantially co-planar with the footings 100.

Each of the flange sections 110 supports an upwardly extending, inclined floor panel 112, and a vertical interior wall 114. The floor panel 112 is generally flat and rests on fill material shown at 116. The floor panels 112 are in engagement with the foundation walls 102 at a location somewhat below the top edges 118 of said walls.

Each of the interior walls 114 terminates at a top edge 119, which is substantially co-planar with the tops 118 of the foundation walls 102. In addition, each of the interior walls 114 has a port 120 therein, said port being located to permit passage therethrough of some of the contents of the silo 1, to flow downwardly into the base section 106 of the trough 104.

A further floor panel 122, generally V-shaped in crosssection, is mounted between the interior walls 114 and is spaced above the trough 104. A chute 124 provides communication of the storage compartments thereabove with the trough 104. The foundation structure 10 is made to any desired size, using known construction techniques.

Although not shown in FIGURES 1 to 3, automatically driven feed means are usually provided for filling the silo, and in the base section 106 to facilitate removal of the stored contents of the silo receptacle 1.

As noted above, the prefabricated silo receptacle 1 consists of an array of storage compartments made up from a plurality of the building units in the form of box members 2 and panels 4.

The box members 2 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) consist of spaced apart panels 20 which extend substantially in a plane terminating at vertical side edges 22 and horizontal top and

bottom edges

24 and 26. The panels 20 are connected to connecting walls 30 by means of flanges 28 which are provided along the side edges 22. Each of the connecting walls 30 extends substantially in a plane terminating at vertical side edges 32 and horizontal top and

bottom edges

34 and 36. Each flange 28 is disposed at approximately 45 relative to the panel 20 such that the flange provided at one of the edges 22 is a mirror image of the flange provided at the other edge. The box member 2 is formed by precasting the panels 20, flanges 28 and the connecting walls 30 as an integral unitt to define an open-ended box member or tubular building unit.

The panel units 4 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) consist of a panel 40 extending substantially in a plane and terminating at vertical side edges 42 and horizontal top and bottom edges 44 and 46. Flanges 48 are provided along side edges 2 to the panel 40 and are disposed at approximately 45 to the plane of each panel 40. As on box members 2, the flange 48 along one of the side edges 42 of the panels 40, is a mirror image of the flange provided at the other edge. The panel unit 4 is formed by precasting the panel 40 with flanges 48 as an integral building unit.

Both of the box members and

panels

2 and 4 will normally be precast of concrete and may be provided with means 50 therein (see FIGURES 5 and 6) for prestressing the same. It should also be noted that the top and

bottom edges

24, 26, 44 and 46, and 34 and 36, respectively, of the

panels

20 and 40 and connecting walls 30. are preformed when being precast to provide mating bottom and top edge surfaces 54 and 56 having a complementary configuration (see FIGURE 7).

Each bottom edge surface 54 comprises an outer dependent lip section 58 and an inner step section 60. On the top edge surface 56 the lip and step sections are reversed in that the step section is outside and the lip section is on the inside. Sealing means in the form, for instance, of closed cell synthetic rubber sponge cord glued in a groove shown at 62, are provided to ensure that the joint between the mating surfaces 54 and 56 is resistant to penetration by water or snow. The sealing means 62 will usually be omitted from the horizontal joints between mating surfaces 54 and 56 which are in the interior of the silo receptacle 1.

To build a silo receptacle 1 as set forth herein, the foundation structure 10 is first fabricated, usually from poured concrete, precast panels and sectional elements. The top edges 1'18 and 119 of the foundation and

interior walls

102 and 114 are co-planar and preformed (FIG. 3) to provide a mating engagement with the bottom edge surfaces 56 of the box members and

panels

2 and 4 placed thereon. The subsequent stages of the construction process are best seen with reference to FIGURE 4.

Assembly of the array of cellular storage compartments is begun by placing a box member 2 on the corner of the foundation structure 10 as shown at A. It should be noted however that two panel units 4 could be used at the corners of the silo receptacle instead of a single box member 2. The latter is preferred for strength and stability. Next, another box member 2 is placed adjacent to the building unit at A diagonally in relation thereto, as shown at B. The respective connecting flanges 28 (FIG. 5) each comprise a bevelled mating surface 70, provided with a bore 72 extending therethrough for receiving a connecting bolt 74 of high tensile steel. A bearing plate 76 having apertures aligned with the bores 72 is provided on the other face 71 of each of the flanges 28 to support and distribute the load carried by the bolts 74. Tightening of nuts 75 on the bolts 74 which pass through the mating flange surfaces 70 of the building units shown at A and B completes the interconnection of the building units at A and B. Additional box members 2 will then be placed as shown at C and will be connected in the above described gianner to the building unit shown previously mounted at Next, a panel unit 4 is mounted on the foundation structure 10 to close a gap 78 between adjacent box members 2 along the periphery or outside wall of the silo receptacle 1. FIGURE 6 shows the interconection between

building units

2 and 4. Each of the

respective flanges

28 and 48 has a bevelled mating surface shown at 80 and another face parallel thereto shown at 81 with bore holes 82 passing therethrough for receiving bolts 84 of high tensile steel. A hearing plate '86 is mounted on the other face 81 of flange 28 and the other face 81 of the flange 48 to support and distribute the load carried by the bolts 84. The joint formed by the mating surfaces 80 is an external joint, i.e. it is exposed to the weather and therefore sealing means 88 are also provided as shown. Conventional sealing means are provided at the connecting bolts 84 which pass through the flange 28 to prevent penetration therealong of water or snow.

Tightening nuts 85 on the connecting bolts 84 securely interconnects the panel unit 4 to adjacent box members 2 as shown in FIGURE 4.

The build-up of an array of cellular storage compartments is continued in the manner indicated above until the desired structural arrangement is achieved. FIGURES 1 and 2 show an arrangement which is 5 units long and 3 units wide. However since the

individual building units

2 and 4 may be formed in a wide variety of dimensions, the number of cellular compartments needed will depend upon the storage capacity desired. It will be evident from the description and drawings herein, that large numbers of

building units

2 and 4 may be superimposed one upon another to build a silo receptacle 1 of almost any desired height.

Alternate arrangements of the box members and

panel units

2 and 4 are shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 8 to l0. In FIGURE 8, a silo receptacle 1 consists of a pair of box members 2 positioned at two corners of the silo and a one-piece corner unit 98 positioned at each of the other two corners as shown, to complete the periphery of the silo. The corner units 98 are structurally quite similar to one of the panel units 4, except that the former are provided with a 90 bend centrally thereof. A bevelled surface may also be provided at the corner similar to flange 28 described above with reference to FIG. 5. Each corner unit 98 is made by precasting the same as a one-piece unit, and means may be included therein to prestress the unit.

In FIGURE 9 the silo receptacle 1 consists of one box member 2, and a pair of one-piece end units 99 of substantially a C-shape in cross section. The box member 2 is located intermediate the two end units 99 and is connected thereto. Each end unit is similar to the corner units 98 described above but are further modified by including two 90 bends at equally spaced intervals to define the C-shaped unit having one side open.

FIGURE 10 shows still another illustrative arrangement for the silo receptacle 1. In this embodiment four box members 2 are placed at the corners of the silo receptacle 1 and connected to a central box member 2. The box members 2 are laterally spaced apart and define gaps therebetween, which are closed by a plurality of panel units 4 as shown.

In each of the arrangements of FIGURES 8-10, the various building units which make up the silo receptacle are interconnected by nuts and bolts in the method described with respect to FIGURE 4.

Another embodiment of the foundation structure 10, is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment the trough 104 consists of the base section 106 and a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending arm sections 108' integrally connected to the base section. It is to be noted that the arm sections 108 make up the entire floor of the silo 1 and not only a portion thereof, as in the embodiment of FIG- URE 3. Each arm section 108' terminates in an outwardly extending footing flange 110' which is disposed generally horizontally.

A pair of vertical interior walls 114 are also connected to and supported by the arm sections 108'. Each of the interior walls 114 terminates at a level substantially coplanar with the footing flanges 110, such that the panels 4 and box members 2 may be mounted and supported directly on the same. This is indicated in FIGURE 11.

A support dome 121 generally in the shape of an inverted V is also supported on the arm sections 108, between the interior walls 114 and extending longitudinally of the silo 1 above the trough 104. The support dome 121 is provided with access openings 120' which, together with similar access openings 120 in the interior walls 114, serve to enable the stored grain to flow downwardly in a controlled quantity to the trough section 104. From here the grain is removed in a conventional manner using auger screws or the like. The support dome 121 serves to absorb the downward load caused by the grain stored in the storage compartments directly above it. In this Way, such a load is not able to act directly on the auger screws, for instance, tending to jam or overload the same.

Depending upon the actual size of the silo 1 under construction, the foundation structure 10 as shown in FIG. 11

could be poured of concrete in situ. Alternatively, the foundation structure 10 could be prefabricated from precast and prestressed units and assembled on location. This is in accordance with known construction techniques.

As previously described, some of the horizontal joints between superimposed box members 2 and panels 4, may be provided with cord-like sealing means 62 (FIG. 7) in one embodiment, or with gasket-like sealing means 62, as indicated in FIG. 12'. Other equivalent sealing means could also be used.

The respective dimensions of the building units per se as well as those of the silo itself are primarily a function of the weight and strength considerations of the materials of which the building units are made, since they are to be handled and assembled using conventional equipment.

Furthermore is should be pointed out that terminology such as separated one from another by only a single wall refers to the formation of storage compartments which consist of only one wall panel between adjacent storage compartments. This wall panel may be one side of a tubular one-piece box member, or it may be one of the panel units; but in all instances only a single wall separates one storage compartment from another. The thickness of the walls is, of course, dependent upon the strength requirements which are needed in each building unit in order to permit assembly thereof into a storage silo of a desired size.

Some features of the invention above described may be modified by use of alternative equivalents, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The foregoing detailed description is therefore not intended to be limiting, but rather is illustrative of a preferred form of the present invention. It will accordingly be understood that such modifications are comprehended within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A prefabricated storage silo having an array of storage compartments each being separated one from another by only one wall and being adapted to enable storing material therein and withdrawal of material therefrom, the array of storage compartments comprising in combination;

a multiplicity of precast panel members each having flange means provided along two opposite edges thereof, said flange means being disposed to enclose an angle with the plane of the panel member, each flange means being a mirror image of the other;

a plurality of box members each consisting of a pair of said panel members and a couple of connecting walls, said pair of panel members being spaced apart and integrally connected through the flange means thereon to the connecting Walls for defining a unitary open-ended box member of substantially rectangular cross-section;

the flange means on the panel and box members being complementary in form so as to be positionable in a mating relationship for enabling connecting said members together; and

connecting tie means mounted in orifices in the flange means on each of said panel and box members and being operative for connecting the same together as discrete units, such that some of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection together of box members only, While others of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection of box members to panel members.

2. The storage silo of claim 1, wherein sealing means discontinuous with said members is provided on the flanges thereof for forming a weather resistant joint between the box and panel members.

3. The storage silo of claim 1, wherein said connecting tie means includes a bearing plate and high tensile bolt means for cooperating with said flange means to detachably secure together the panel and box members.

4. The storage silo of claim 1, wherein the edges defining the open end of the box members, and the other two edges of said panel members are preformed so that such panel and box members are capable of being stacked one upon another for constructing a storage silo having a predetermined height and storage capacity.

5. A prefabricated storage silo having an array of storage compartments each being separated one from another by only one wall, and being adapted to enabe storing material therein and withdrawal of material therefrom, the array of storage compartments comprising in combination;

a multiplicity of precast panel members each having flange means provided along two opposite edges thereof, said flange means being angularly disposed to the panel member to enclose an angle of about 135 degrees therewith such that the flange means at one of said opposite edges forms a mirror image of the flange means along the other edge;

a plurality of box members each consisting of a pair of said panel members and a couple of connecting walls, said pair of panel members being spaced apart and integrally connected through the flange means thereon to the connecting walls for defining a unitary openended box member of substantially rectangular crosssection, the plurality of box members being arranged in said array in two outside rows and an intermediate row with spaces being provided between each box member in any one of said rows, the box members in the intermediate row being disposed opposite the spaces in the two outside rows, with the flange means on the box members of the intermediate row being disposed in mating relationship with and securable to the flange means on box members in the outside rows;

the flange means on the panel members and box members being complementally disposed to be positionable in a mating relationship for enabling connecting to gether of the same whereby the outermost spaces in the outside rows are closed by said panel members; and

connecting tie means adapted to be mounted in the flange means for interconnecting some of the box members one to another, and the remaining box members to panel members, such that some of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection together of box members only, while others of the storage compartments are formed by the interconnection of box members to panel members.

6. The storage silo of claim 5, wherein sealing means discontinuous with the panel members and box members is provided for forming a weather resistant joint when said box and panel members are joined together.

7. The storage silo of claim 5, wherein said connecting tie means includes a bearing plate and high tensile bolt means for cooperating with the flange means on the panel members and the box members to detachably secure the latter together.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,645,114 7/1953 Amirikian 52-236 X FOREIGN PATENTS 121,508 1946 Australia. 1,389,813 1965 France. 1,441,807 1966 France.

563,144 1944 Great Britain JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.