Storage Tank & Grain Bin Foundation Design
Tanks and grain bins are large, heavily loaded structures. They are typically 50 to 150+ feet in diameter with slab loads as much as 5,000 psf.
These heavy loads result in significant stress increases in the bearing soils, which can result in unfavorable settlements.
Geopier’s foundation design solutions can meet the challenge of these heavy loaded storage tanks and grain bins by reinforcing unsuitable bearing soils to create a very dense/stiff crust that limits total and differential settlements to meet the project requirements.
Design Benefits
Geopier® ground improvement systems provide excellent settlement control for foundations of storage tanks and grain bins, as well as any ancillary structures. This is vital in ensuring the systems can operate as intended without loss of production. Our systems are also designed to provide uniform slab support to limit slab deflection/cracking that could adversely affect performance. Our piers can be installed near existing structures, which is often the case for tanks and grain bins.Schedule Benefits
Geopier’s solutions are rapidly installed, which can help keep your projects ahead of schedule. Our licensed installers can mobilize multiple rigs and work around the clock to meet any of your scheduling needs. As an added benefit, there is no need to wait for concrete to cure before constructing footings. Storage tank and grain bin foundations can be excavated and poured as soon as all the piers in a footing are installed.Cost Benefits
Geopier® ground improvement systems provide significant cost savings, particularly for large projects. Our foundation solutions are typically 20 to 50 percent cheaper than conventional foundation solutions (deep foundations and removal and replacement) and can also help save cost on foundations and slabs by reducing footing sizes and slab thicknesses. Our systems produce minimal spoils which saves on earthwork and haul-off costs. This is particularly important on environmentally impacted sites.Edge Stability
Construction of flexible bottom industrial tanks results in high shearing stresses at the edges of tanks. In weak soils, high applied edge pressures may result in edge instability, differential settlement, and ‘mushrooming’ of the tank shell. Our piers improve shear resistance along the edge which prevents tank ‘mushrooming’ and improves factors of safety for edge stability.Need support? We're here to help.
When your reputation is on the line, you need to minimize risk with predictable and proven designs. Let us help you find the right storage tank or grain bin foundation design for your project.