Safety Alert
Catastrophic failure of silo – bolted conical bottom section
Catastrophic failure of silo – bolted conical bottom section
- HSE
- Safety Alert
- STSU1-2017
- Inspection and MaintenanceStructural and Asset Integrity
- Material fatigueMechanical failureStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenance
- Exclusion zonesNon-destructive testing
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
This alert examines catastrophic separation of a silo’s bolted conical bottom, releasing approximately 600 tonnes of wheat grain. It links failure to manufacturing-induced micro-cracks at sharp cold-formed folds and subsequent fatigue cracking. Recommended measures include penetrant inspection of both fold surfaces, repeated inspections, attention to warning signs and exclusion zones.
Classifications: Material fatigue; metal fatigue.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Exclusion zones; red zones; restricted access zones.
Classifications: Non-destructive testing; NDT; non-destructive examination; NDE.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
STSU1-2017. Themes: inspection and maintenance, structural and asset integrity.