Steel silos are a popular choice for grain storage, as they are relatively inexpensive to build and maintain. However, the cost of a steel silo can vary depending on the size and type of silo.
One of the key factors that affects the cost of a steel silo is the type of bottom. Steel silos can be either flat-bottom or conical-bottom. Hopper-bottom silos are typically more expensive than flat-bottom silos, as they require more material and labor to construct.
The reason for the higher cost of conical-bottom silos is that they need to be taller than flat-bottom silos in order to allow for the natural flow of grain. The natural flow angle of grain is typically about 40 degrees, so a conical-bottom silo with a diameter of 15 meters would need to be about 8 meters tall in order to allow for proper grain flow.
In addition to the taller height, hopper-bottom silos also require more complex foundation structures than flat-bottom silos. This is because the conical shape of the silo creates more lateral pressure on the foundation, which requires additional reinforcement.
As a result of these factors, conical-bottom silos can be up to 40% more expensive than flat-bottom silos of the same capacity.
Therefore, for large-diameter silos (greater than 10 meters), it is generally more cost-effective to choose a flat-bottom silo. Flat-bottom silos offer the same storage capacity as conical-bottom silos, but they are less expensive to build and maintain.
Conclusion
When choosing a steel silo, it is important to consider the size and type of silo. For large-diameter silos, a flat-bottom silo is typically the more cost-effective option.
