Design of a Combined Support System for Constructing a New Type of Conical Shell Silo Roof

Reinforced concrete conical shell silo roofs continue to present construction challenges, despite the widespread adoption of slip-form technology for silo walls. This study introduces a novel combined temporary support system for cast-in-place conical shell silo roofs, validated through an engineering case in Suiping. The proposed system consists of (i) an umbrella-type conical shell combined support structure and (ii) a cross-type vertical core-tube support. Focusing on the umbrella subsystem, a shell–truss framework is developed based on the geometry of cylindrical–conical shell roofs. Special structural components, along with prestressed reinforcement techniques, are introduced following the principles of structural and elastic mechanics. The traditional inclined-beam shoring concept is incorporated into an arched load path: inclined members are circumferentially connected at nodes to form a shell–arch support mechanism, thereby improving force transfer efficiency and reducing flexural demands. Finite element analyses of representative construction stages are conducted to evaluate displacement and stress responses. The results show that the proposed combined support system meets strength and stiffness requirements during roof construction and provides an efficient and practical solution for large-span conical shell silo roofs.