Silos are important storage structures used for bulk storage of grains, cement etc.

Since very
heavy mass is distributed over a small height in silos, if it is not analysed properly, it can lead to
catastrophic failure. They are special structures subjected to many different unconventional
loading conditions, carrying large tonnage of mass which results in unusual failure modes. Many
researchers have studied the behaviour of silos under filling and discharging conditions.
However, very little research has been taken up in the field of seismic response of elevated steel
silos especially using nonlinear static pushover analysis. Detailed studies are needed for
evaluating seismic performance of elevated steel silos under influence of parameters such as
aspect ratio, filling conditions, bracing systems (knee bracing) in silo supporting structure etc.
One of the approaches used in past studies in field of seismic analysis of silos has been 3D finite
element analysis. However, 3D finite element analysis requires detailed nonlinear modeling of
granular material and it is also computationally expensive. On the other hand, codal provisions
for seismic analysis of silos are approximate and they do not explicitly consider nonlinear
granular material modeling. Taking above issues into account, analyzing silos by pushover
analysis offers several advantages. Pushover analysis is relatively simple as compared to 3D FE
analysis and it gives accurate results when compared to codal provisions.

The present study aims to evaluate the seismic performance of elevated steel silos using
nonlinear static pushover analysis. It is further proposed to compare the seismic performance of
elevated steel silos by varying parameters such as aspect ratio, filling conditions and knee
bracing systems in silo supporting structure. Under seismic action, the material profile changes at
every instant. This causes the loading (pressure) on silo walls to change at every instant. This
study proposes to apply this realistic variation of loading on silo walls step wise in pushover
analysis. The results such as capacity curves, performance point, silo wall stresses, base shear
etc. will be monitored. The inelastic actions in silo wall and silo supporting structure will also be
monitored.