Silo Inspection Recommendations

Before a silo inspection begins, there are a few questions that should be answered to help guide the inspection.

How critical is this silo to the operation of the facility?

Silos that are more heavily used and integrated into a facility are often inspected less due to their operational importance and lack of available downtime. These silos should be inspected more often as their heavy use can accelerate deterioration as well as cause production problems if the silo is down for extensive repairs.

How is the silo unloaded and how frequently?

Center draw versus side draw unloading can put very different loads on silo walls as well as cause different modes of deterioration. Knowing how the silo is unloaded as well as its general operation can give clues to how and where it needs to be inspected.

What material does the silo hold?

The material stored in a silo can affect how it may degrade overtime. Certain materials may be more corrosive or abbrasive than others and cause different failure methods. Dusty materials such as corn may present explosion hazards, while materials like coal are more prone to bridging. This article will not go in depth on each material and their hazards, however, understanding the material being stored can guide the inspection and help determine appropriate repairs.

What to look for during inspections:

Visual maintenance inspections should be done regularly. Properly designed and constructed jumpform silos can go many years without inspection if they are used as intended. Overall, if there is no visual damage or operational changes to the silo, a full structural inspection is often not required. Older silos, silos in high-risk areas or strenuous operating conditions, and silos with previous damage or repairs may need to be inspected more frequently. Hoffmann offers inspection services for all jumpform silos.

For questions about inspections or to schedule an inspection please contact us.