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.

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES performed a thorough site investigation, supported by engineering analysis, confirming that the silo was structurally deficient and required significant repairs and additional reinforcement. STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES 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, an exclusive licensee of STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES, 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 STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES’ 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