Analysis of calculated and observed settlements of the silo on loess/Analiza proracunskih i izmjerenih slijeganja silosa na lesu

This paper presents the analysis of the results of observed and calculated settlements for the silo, due to load and partial saturation of the loess. In a dry state loess has high strength and low compressibility, however, highly porous layers of loess due to saturation lose structure, reduce volume and strength extremely. This feature of loess is known as structural collapse, or hydro collapse, making it one of the meta-stable soils, which are very unfavourable in terms of foundation. During the construction of the silo, due to inadequate protection during the intense rainfall, partial saturation of the surface layers has occurred, which undermined the initial structure of the loess and caused additional settlements that were registered during the first filling of the silo. To assess the development of settlements in these changed circumstances, the settlement calculations were performed, based on the collapse potential, increase of moisture, wetting depth and available quantity of rainfall for given location according to data from the National Hydro Meteorological Institute. Prediction of the expected subsequent settlements was crucial for undertaking necessary measures in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the silo. Currently, 2,5 years from the first filling of the silo cells, the settlement growth has practically diminished and the silo is functioning smoothly.