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Concrete Silo Strengthening Upgrade

Location: Gulf Coast, USA
Specialty Contractor: STRUCTURAL

Tstrata and STRUCTURAL provided an Investigate-Design-Build solution to strengthen a structurally deficient concrete silo at a chemical plant.

SOLUTIONS: |
Concrete silo strengthening upgrade
Installed 74,000 LF of post-tensioning
Post-tensioning repairs

PROJECT DETAILS

Silos are essential for material storage and processing in chemical plants. When a 120-foot-diameter concrete silo at a Gulf Coast chemical plant showed signs of deterioration and reduced capacity, the owner requested a field investigation.

Tstrata performed a thorough site investigation, supported by engineering analysis, confirming that the silo was structurally deficient and required significant repairs and additional reinforcement. Tstrata then conducted a feasibility study on the silo’s post-tensioning cables and concrete, resulting in the development of three potential repair options. The owner chose a comprehensive repair solution to restore the silo’s full capacity and extend its service life.

STRUCTURAL addressed the failing post-tensioning system by removing the existing infrastructure and installing nearly 200 new tendons. Highly deteriorated and delaminated sections of the silo were removed, reinforced with additional steel, and repaired using shotcrete. The central portion of the silo wall, found to be highly deficient in bending strength, was reinforced with Tstrata’sss advanced CSS V-Wrap™ Carbon FRP system, an externally bonded solution designed to provide structural support.

Using an Investigate-Design-Build approach, the silo was successfully strengthened, extending its service life while eliminating safety hazards.

highlights

120-ft diameter concrete silo
Applied 8,000 SF shotcrete
Applied 15,000 SF carbon fiber
Installed 74,000 LF of post-tensioning