To ensure the safe and reliable provision of food, the agriculture industry relies on a diverse range of infrastructure. We have experience evaluating and rehabilitating silos and food processing facilities worldwide, ensuring their proper maintenance and preservation for ongoing operations.
Deterioration of Silo Structures
Silo structures are widely used in agricultural to store various products. But many silo structures suffer from poor maintenance and age-related deterioration, leading to disruptions in supply and production.
A common challenge with silos is the lack of original drawings, resulting in limited or no documentation. We use ground penetrating radar and other techniques to assess wall thickness and reinforcement layout. Silos commonly lack standardized and repeatable reinforcement within their walls due to the slip-form construction methods. Understanding the existing reinforcement layout, concrete thickness, and concrete compressive strength is crucial for determining the loading capacity. The constant filling and emptying of silos subject their walls to varying stress and loads, potentially leading to wall deterioration or roof damage. In some cases, roofs may need to be secured appropriately, causing them to slip their bearings over time. By employing impact echo/pulse velocity techniques, our team effectively evaluates the condition of structural elements, identifying cracking and deterioration in both walls and roof structures.
Corrosion in Food Processing Facilities
Food processing and manufacturing facilities present challenging environments for infrastructure durability. Using heat and chemicals in agriculture product production (i.e., agrochemical) and processing creates highly corrosive conditions. Our team worked with a facility producing soy sauce, known for its extreme corrosiveness due to its salt content and high heat. Using methods like corrosion potential analysis, we were able to locate active corrosion in the reinforced concrete columns and beams, allowing the facility owner to address deteriorating areas proactively. Material testing helps assess the extent of concrete contamination, providing insights into the risk for corrosion damage in other elements and enabling the development of service life models. With this valuable information, our team assists facility owners in asset management, allocating capital funds to prioritize necessary improvements.
Related Projects
We provide extensive experience across a range of structures and environmental conditions.
