EXPERIENCE IN MONITORING GRAIN SILOS DURING THE PERIOD OF RESTORATION OF THEIR OPERATIONAL SERVICEABILITY

Purpose. Implement a comprehensive approach to monitoring the technical condition of metal silo structures used for long-term grain storage, particularly during the period of restoring their serviceability. This also involves obtaining new experimental data regarding the mutual influence of a group of silos on subsiding bases composed of loess collapsible soils. Methodology. During the period of limited silo operation, the monitoring included a comprehensive set of geodetic, visual, and instrumental observations to track changes in the technical condition and operational characteristics of the structures. Temporary ground benchmarks were established and tied to permanent benchmarks, with 8 observation points fixed to monitor foundation deformations of each silo. Their settlements were measured using third-class precision geometric leveling according to a consistent leveling scheme. To determine the unevenness of vertical deformations, the method of a conditional horizontal line was used, assuming that all characteristic points along the silo’s perimeter were at the same level at the end of construction and the start of operation. At the beginning of the monitoring, the orientation, placement, and width of cracks on the surfaces of reinforced concrete structures along the underground gallery of each silo were graphically recorded, and subsequent changes in these data were documented. Findings. A methodology for geotechnical monitoring of the ‘collapsible soil – foundation – metal silo’ system was tested on a characteristic field object under limited operation conditions, along with work to restore its operational serviceability. By preventing further wetting of the collapsible soil foundation of the silos, the rate of additional uneven deformations was reduced, thereby extending the actual service life of the group of silos. Originality. New data has been obtained regarding the characteristics of the development of uneven settlements of locally saturated collapsible soil foundations of metal silo foundations over time. Practical value. Solutions have been developed to reduce the level of uneven deformations of collapsible soils of silo foundations and have been tested in geotechnical practice along with the corresponding geomonitoring methodology under limited operation conditions of the structures.