Grain Walls

Precast Concrete Panels for Grain Walling

Prestressed concrete panels manufactured and supplied by ACP (Concrete) Ltd are the material of choice for the construction walls to grain stores throughout the UK.

Precast concrete wall panels give a smooth and durable wall with a 90º wall/floor joint makes for easy cleaning between batches and reduces the likelihood of damage by machinery.

The high strength imparted by prestressing enables the concrete panels to flex under load and ride the stress of machinery impact without serious damage.

Vertical freestanding cantilever and horizontal panels are available. All our precast concrete panels have an interlocking tongue and groove joint system, which allow the panels to share load.

Concrete Panel Grain Walling – Fixing Options

Horizontal Panels
Horizontal concrete panels are designed to be supported by the grain building frame. The concrete panels span between the building columns and pass the load from the grain back into the steel frame. A cost effective concrete walling system, this solution also maximizes the building flexibility as panels are easily relocated in future alterations.
 
All ACP Concrete precast panels are available in three standard heights, 1m, 1.2m & 1.5m and the tongue and groove joint allows the units to fit together in combination to give the desired overall wall height. Panels can be made to measure in lengths up to 20’ (6.085m), longer lengths available on request. Where a division wall is required double loading panels are also available to fit between the columns.

“Foundation Free” – the concrete panels are designed to be installed without a mass concrete foundation. The prestressed panels seat on either a steel landing cleat fixed to the column or directly onto the floor of the grain store. This makes concrete wall installation weather independent avoiding site delays from prevailing weather conditions.

After installation the concrete panel joints can be sealed using the polyurethane mastic sealant provided, external joints may also be sealed if required.  If resting on the floor it is advisable to use a compressible sealant under the bottom panels to give a watertight seal.

Prestressed concrete panels are available in a range of thicknesses to suit each application. Panels are available to suit a wide variety of load situations with the 145mm thick and 180mm thick panels being suitable for most grain store loadings. Concrete panel selection depends on bay span, wall height, maximum height of stored product and grain drying equipment i.e. stirrers. Maximum Storage Heights Table. Where possible ACP concrete panels are designed to suit a full surcharged loading condition (with grain heaped up to its maximum angle) from the outset. This ensures that the wall design is “future proof” for subsequence building alteration or expansion.

Vertical Cantilever Walls
Prestressed concrete cantilever panels are installed in a simple concrete trench foundation using cradles and reinforcing bars supplied with the wall panels. This wall system provides a smooth freestanding concrete grain wall without the need for supporting steelwork, Vertical Cantilever Foundation Layout. The freestanding wall system is ideal for providing division walls within the grain store and for perimeter walls where an existing building structure is not suitable to sustain horizontal concrete panels loads. The precast concrete panels are available in 1m, 1.2m and 1.5m widths and in a range of  heights up to 4.2m high (AFFL). Safe Load Table  For information on safe use of concrete panels for grain stores please see the notes in the technical library.