Multi-Hazard Structural Analysis of Compartmental Silos: Cross-Platform Validation and Inter-Compartment Interaction Quantification
Keywords:
Compartmental silos, Multi-hazard analysis, Computational validation, Bulk storage structures, Structural optimizationAbstract
Compartmental silos represent critical infrastructure for bulk material storage, requiring robust structural design under multi-hazard loading conditions. This study presents a comparative analysis between STAAD.Pro V8i structural analysis software and MATLAB-based analytical calculations for evaluating compartmental silo structural performance. A four-compartment reinforced concrete structure (10m × 10m × 20m per compartment) with 2000-tonne storage capacity was analyzed under self-weight, material pressure (Janssen's theory), wind loads, and seismic excitations per IS 1893 provisions. The comparative analysis demonstrates excellent validation between platforms, with maximum deviations of 6.14% for displacements and 3.75% for stress predictions. Critical findings reveal maximum resultant displacement of 488.8 mm under combined loading (self-weight + material pressure + wind + seismic), while peak bending moments reach 696.9 kNm/m. The compartmental configuration shows 3.75% higher stress concentrations compared to double-silo arrangements due to inter-compartment interaction effects. Key contributions include: validated cross-platform computational framework for silo analysis, quantified compartmentalization effects on structural response, and established design guidelines for multi-compartment systems. Both computational approaches yield results within acceptable engineering tolerances, providing confidence in design predictions and highlighting the importance of material-structure interaction modelling in bulk storage facilities.
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