Column-supported silos: Elasto-plastic failure

This paper presents a study of the failure behaviour of column-supported silos with flexible engaged steel columns, based on finite element analyses. For a wide range of silo and column geometries, the influence of all geometrical parameters to the failure behaviour will be demonstrated. An important finding is that the height over which the column is attached to the silo initially has a positive influence to the failure behaviour and the failure load, but proves to be disadvantageous from a certain critical height.