Steel bulk storage bin support framing

[ap7775]

The structure i am considering consists of 13.5m high steel plate bin walls interlocked together on a 3.6m x 3.6m grid (4x4 bin arrangement, total plan size 14.4 x 14.4m).
The support framing consists of nominal steel beams in a grillage at a height of 7m. (top of bins 20.5m high)
The columns are spaced at 3.6m in one direction (frame spacing), and 7.2m in the other (across the span).
Each bin holds 108t of material, so the loads are significant.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[JStephen]

What are you trying to find out exactly?

 

[ap7775]

How to analyse the columns for the large lateral loads from earthquake.
Assume it is a "soft story" structure, but don't really know how to treat it.

 

[kslee1000]

is the column 7m long, or 20.5m? How the plate bin connected to the support frame? For earthquake condition, I would worry the stability of the bin before think about the frame. Also, earthquake effect is affected by how the bin is connected.

 

[ap7775]

The columns are 7m long. Above this there is only bin walls. At 7m there is a grillage of nominal steel beams, typically 310-360UB. Once this framing is erected, the bin hoppers (steel) are then dropped onto and bolted to the internal side of the beam top flanges via a top perimeter angle. The bin walls are then also dropped onto and bolted to the external side of the top flange via base angles.

I also question the use of the "nominal" steel beam grillage. It is assumed that since the bin walls are so deep, that once bolted together they themselves become the "beams" that can span between column supports. But it would be nice to be able to put some numbers to these assumptions.

I will upload a typical section/detail for comments.

 

[kslee1000]

Any drawing/sketch would communicate better. Which country is the application located?

 

[ap7775]

I will upload something tomorrow. The application is in Australia.