Rylett Ltd., consulting structural engineer Filling a silo with haylage or corn silage that has a higher than normal moisture content, will lead to seepage of corrosive liquids that weakens and damages a silo. Figure 2 shows the effect of placing material in the silo that is too wet. Without proper maintenance and repair, this can ultimately lead to silo failure. The same acids also corrode silo hoops, reinforcing steel or hardware associated with the silo. As the structure ages, there is a gradual decline in strength. When these acids touch the concrete silo walls, they react with the Portland cement matrix that binds the aggregates together. When moist plant material is put into a silo it goes through the ensiling process that produces silage acids, mainly lactic and acetic acids. Most deterioration of conventional concrete tower silos is caused by the attack of silage acids. Rylett Ltd., consulting structural engineer Silage acid A collapsing silo can be lethal and cause significant damage when falling onto another structure. Figure 1 shows the impact a silo collapse can have on surrounding buildings. The silos have fallen onto adjacent barns, injuring or killing animals, destroying property and ruining any silage or grain stored there. In Ontario, farm owners and workers have died because of a silo collapse. The collapse of a tower silo can have serious consequences. ![]() In recent years, the incidence of collapse of these structures has increased. Farmers continue to fill these older structures, often without considering the deterioration that may have occurred due to age, weathering and the effects of silage acid attack. Many of Ontario’s older concrete tower silos are still in use today - despite the possible danger to humans and animals, as well as the loss of the stored product.
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