Collapse Behavior and Strength of Steel Silo Transition Junctions. Part II: Parametric Study

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a major parametric study of the plastic collapse behavior and strength of the complex transition junctions in steel silos using an elastic-plastic large-deflection finite element analysis for axisymmetric shells. Both small-deflection and large-deflection theories are employed to obtain classical limit loads and to clarify the effect of changes in geometry. The collapse loads determined by the finite element analysis are compared with those predicted by a simple hand method derived by Rotter and an improved method developed in a comparison paper. These comparisons show that Rotter’s simple method is satisfactory only for junctions at which the shell segments are of similar thickness. The modified method gives a much closer overall approximation to the finite element results over the wide range of parameters studied. This paper also discusses the alternative possibilities of skirt or hopper collapse when a strong junction is used.