Dead Load or Live Load

jsdpe
(not verified)
Posted in: , on 12. Sep. 2009 - 08:17

Sorry if this isn't the best forum for this post.

This may sound simplistic to most of you, but please help me out.

In a bin or silo, is ore considered dead or live load? Normally I'd say live load instinctively since it varies, but I've read in some places that fluid inside tanks can be considered dead load presumably due to the inability to overload by volume (though S.G. could vary). This appears similar.

Is it dead or live load?

Thanks.

Re: Dead Load Or Live Load

Posted on 12. Sep. 2009 - 06:41

Live load all the way. When filling there are varying impacts & when emptying the flow pattern or system will affect the live load situation. As solid material encounters varying cross section the wall pressure varies considerably. Bin contents are also subject to seismic activities when the bin walls are disturbed.

There's a textbook for bin/silo design which is often mentioned in these forums & is also available from Amazon etc.

Fluid in tanks shouldn't be simplified to dead load either. When the pump starts up the material level fluctuates in a manner analogous to a conveyor belt tension.