Non-Linear Time History and Pushover Analysis of a Steel Silo Behavior

Earthquakes, among the most destructive natural hazards, result in substantial economic and demographic losses. An effective strategy to mitigate future structural damage involves investigating past collapses. Numerical modeling proves instrumental in analyzing and identifying deficiencies in collapsed structures. This study numerically evaluates a steel silo damaged during the 2011 Van earthquake. Employing non-linear time history and pushover analyses, the research assesses the silo’s performance. Findings highlight inadequate welding dimensions and incomplete fusion with the base metal in fillet welds between columns and the silo tank as primary causes of collapse. Numerical simulations with varied column removal scenarios underscore the importance of robust silo tank-column connections in reducing earthquake-induced damage.