“Concrete Failures in a Farmyard Context”

A Case Study
Student – Terry O’ Leary (19325187)
Supervisor – Prof. Roger West
Department of Civil Structural & Environmental Engineering

Introduction:
Agriculture in Ireland has been specifically linked with marked increases in water pollution from nutrients
(nitrates and phosphates), elevated pesticide levels, declining aquatic biodiversity, physical damage to
water bodies, and widespread unregulated wetland drainage (SWAN, 2022). This dissertation presents a
research project carried out in a working farmyard setting and examines how water quality is being
negatively affected by the farming activity. A number of investigations were carried out as part of this
study; the identification of the point source cause of the pollution in the farmyard and how this problem has
been exacerbated by the structural decay of concrete, the identification of the causes of the decay in the
concrete and the development of mitigation measures for the remediation of the concrete failure to
address the pollution occurrence in the farmyard setting. The overall aim of the research is to develop a
suite of measures that can be adopted in the farmyard to ensure that water quality is preserved and that
the negative impact of pollution is sustainably addressed. Anecdotal evidence suggests that over 25 Results:
million tonnes of silage is produced annually in Ireland and approximately 140 litres of effluent will be
generated from each tonne of silage once it is ensiled in the concrete silo (DAFM, 1985). Teagasc (2021) The overarching aim of this research project is to develop a robust remediation plan for the structural
suggest however that volumes of silage effluent can range as high as 350 litres per tonne of grass silage. faults that are occurring in the concrete silage slab at the case study farmyard. The research that has
The proper management of containment facilities for the effluent are vital as it contains lactic and acetic been undertaken throughout the dissertation has demonstrated the key impacts that the structural failure
acids having an acidic pH ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 and a BOD of up to 200 times that of raw domestic of the in-situ concrete is having on the environment and also on the day-to-day operation of the farm
sewage (Sangarapillai & Dumelow, 1993). enterprise. The following illustrate some key research results for the concrete testing, the threats to the
concrete in the farmyard and also a decision support tool that has been developed for individual farm
enterprises;

The Case Study Farmyard Complete Farmyard Replacement in 2008

Objectives:
The overarching aim of this research project is to develop a robust remediation plan for the structural
faults that are occurring in the concrete silage slab at the case study farmyard. The research that has
been undertaken throughout the dissertation has demonstrated the key impacts that the structural
failure of the in-situ concrete is having on the environment and also on the day-to-day operation of the
farm enterprise. In order to achieve this overall aim a number of objectives for the research project have
been developed. The initial objective was to determine why the concrete in the silage pit has or is failing
and this diagnosis of the structural issues will help to shape the later part of the research on the
remediation proposals. In order to achieve this a number of samples of the in-situ concrete were
extracted and tested in accordance with the prescribed methods for concrete analysis. The potential
environmental impacts of a discharge of silage effluent from the structural faults within the silage slab
Conclusions:
have been examined. Once the initial objectives of the research were achieved and a clear diagnosis of
the issues causing the structural faults in the silage pit determined, then the research moved on to
The contribution of this case study to the existing body of knowledge centres on the development of a
identify the various options that are available to remediate such concrete failures. The analysis of the
targeted and specific methodology that can be used to formulate a remediation plan when defects occur in
data obtained from the concrete testing undertaken informed the decision on what, if any, remedial
a farmyard setting. DAFM standards S.128 & S.128A outline the legislative and procedural requirements
action is proposed or ultimately if the failing concrete is capable of undergoing remediation. Clearly the
that must be achieved when undertaking remediation works in a working farmyard. While these standards
key issue within this component of the research project was ensuring that there can be no escape of
are comprehensive and thorough, they do not direct how an individual farm enterprise should research,
silage effluent into receptor water bodies such as surface or groundwater. Finally, an implementation
plan and develop their own remediation proposals based on their own unique framework to address on-
plan was developed to monitor the remediation works that are to be undertaken to address the issues
site structural issues. Furthermore DAFM standards S.128 & S.128A are quite textual publications which
identified. While the actual remediation works to the silage slab will not form part of this dissertation, a
may not be ideally suited to the target audience within the farming community. This case study has
clear roadmap has been developed to outline the steps that need to be taken to address is issues
illustrated how a bespoke remediation plan for the prevailing concrete defects has been developed based
identified as part of the overall aim research.
on the unique characteristics and circumstances of the farm enterprise and taking cognisance of how the
farmyard is used on a day-to-day basis. The specific needs of the farm operation have been considered in

Methods:
In order to determine the structural condition of the concrete in the areas where is silage is stored and
silage effluent is generated there was a series of concrete cores extracted. The number of cores extracted
was based on the area to be assessed and these cores were taken and tested in accordance with I.S. EN
12504. The cores extracted were tested by an INAB approved laboratory and structural considerations
such as compressive strength, void ratio, potential strength, density, depth and a visual analysis for
segregation were completed. The analysis of the data obtained from the INAB approved laboratory was
used to both diagnose the causes of structural issues in the farmyard while also providing a framework for
the development of the remediation plan for the structural issues that are occurring. The potential seepage
of silage effluent into the substrate below the concrete yard was also be considered based on the findings
of the laboratory testing and from the visual inspection of the cored holes in the case study farmyard. The
core samples there were extracted are photographed and also the relevant standards that apply from the
Department of Agriculture for a working farmyard;
the remediation design and this methodology can be adopted for any farm enterprise where monitoring
takes place of silage storage facilities and where routine remediation works are required.
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