| Structural
Systems (Construction) based in Melbourne, Victoria were contracted to work on the new Melbourne Cement Facility
silo. This state of the art cement storage silo, located at Port Melbourne and with a capacity of 35,000 tonnes, is the latest addition to Melbourne’s largest supplier of cement. The Melbourne Cement facility currently supplies
80% of the cement required for over five ready-mix companies. The new Cement Silo will have the ability to load three tanker trucks within its perimeter simultaneously. |
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The silo has been designed by Shedden Uhde, a leading designer within this field. Some notable technical points for this project are :
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Capacity 35,000 tonnes
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Height
57 metres
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Diameter 30 metres
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Wall thickness 900mm reducing to 450mm
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535 Tonnes of reinforcement
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130 Tonnes of Post tensioning
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Cubic Metres of concrete
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| Structural Systems successfully bid the project using an in-house Slipform System. This
coupled with the BBR multistrand post tensioning system was seen by the client as the best solution for a difficult project with a tight program. |
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| Pouring of the concrete, fixing of the reinforcement and installation of the post tensioning
ducts and castings was undertaken over continuous 24 hour pouring cycles, reducing
the need for unsightly construction joints in the external wall. The
silo has 72 No 15.2mm 27 strand hoop tendons at 1 metre centres. The hoops are broken into
four segments and stressed through 4 external buttresses. |
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| Structural Systems has developed computerized high speed strand pushers enabling our post tensioning
installers to work in an efficient and safe manner from mast climbers mounted on
all four buttresses. 72 x 15.2mm 27-strand tendons were installed over 12 days, each with a length
of 102 metres. |
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| Structural Systems with its experienced and motivated workforce completed the project on time and within budget. With several
more similar silos planned throughout Australia, Structural Systems are looking forward to continuing
the successful SSL Slipform-BBR partnership. |
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