06-18-2011, 05:14 PM
Hi Ralph
Dont sell yourself short on your modelling skills as your former cement plant looks like a good and large grain silo complex to me.
On the subject of grain [or cement] silos, they are poured using what is called the 'slip form' method, whereby the formwork is jacked up by around 4 to 6 inches [100 to 150mm] and the next layer of concrete is poured before the lower level has properly cured. This process goes on 24/7 and the reason for doing this is to make the concrete as seemless as possible for maximum strength, waterproofing and integrity. It all seems a little crazy
but it has been used sucessfully post war for everything from cement and grain silos to power station cooling towers, very tall bridge piers, and North Sea Oil/Gas Platform legs.
The reason you tend to notice horizontal band lines is from the different pours and the subsequent finishing of the outer concrete as well as minor adjustments in the slipform to maintain a horizontal level.
Mark
Dont sell yourself short on your modelling skills as your former cement plant looks like a good and large grain silo complex to me.
On the subject of grain [or cement] silos, they are poured using what is called the 'slip form' method, whereby the formwork is jacked up by around 4 to 6 inches [100 to 150mm] and the next layer of concrete is poured before the lower level has properly cured. This process goes on 24/7 and the reason for doing this is to make the concrete as seemless as possible for maximum strength, waterproofing and integrity. It all seems a little crazy
but it has been used sucessfully post war for everything from cement and grain silos to power station cooling towers, very tall bridge piers, and North Sea Oil/Gas Platform legs.The reason you tend to notice horizontal band lines is from the different pours and the subsequent finishing of the outer concrete as well as minor adjustments in the slipform to maintain a horizontal level.
Mark
Fake It till you Make It, then Fake It some More