The Silos Accommodation

The Project

Cresco Australia undertook the engineering design and structural analysis for the unique and innovative Silo Accommodation. This venture transformed an existing grain silo into a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing accommodation facility.

Our scope of work included the engineering of the “stiffened raft” slab and external slab, structural support members for the roof structure, and support members for the first floor and cantilevered structures.

Nick and Amber had the vision of turning a disused grain silo into a unique luxury farm stay accommodation option in Regional NSW, for tourists seeking a farm stay experience.

Project Challenges

The Silo Accommodation project presented several engineering challenges.

1. Adapting Existing Structures:

Transforming an existing grain silo into a habitable space required careful consideration of the existing structural integrity and the adaptions necessary to meet modern building standards.

A key requirement of the design was to facilitate the dismantling of the silo in a safe manner whilst minimising damage to its aesthetic appearance.

2. Cantilevered Structures:

The design incorporated cantilevered elements, demanding precise calculations and innovative engineering solutions to ensure stability and safety.

3. Exposed Structural Members:

To showcase the recycled Oregon floor joists, the first-floor structure was designed to be fully exposed

4. Roof Support:

The roof structure needed to provide adequate support while maintaining the silo’s aesthetic and functional requirements.

Engineering Solutions

To address these challenges, we implemented several key engineering solutions.

1. Slab Requirements:

Conducted a thorough analysis of the soil conditions and load-bearing capacity to design a slab foundation that ensures stability and longevity.

Utilised reinforced concrete slabs to distribute loads evenly and provide a solid base for the Silo Accommodation.

2. Structural Support Members of Roof Structures:

Designed custom steel support members to integrate seamlessly with the existing silo structure, providing the necessary support without compromising the silo’s geometry to allow all original materials to be reused.

Implemented advanced modeling techniques to simulate load conditions and optimize the design for strength and durability.

3. Support Members for First Floor and Cantilevered Structures:

Engineered robust support members using high-strength steel to ensure the cantilevered structures could safely bear the anticipated loads.

Incorporated innovative connection details to distribute loads effectively and maintain structural integrity.

4. Detailed Fabrication Plans:

The entire steel structure was modelled and detailed to create a fully prefabricated construction.

The radial roof support structure was assembled at ground level within the existing silo and a crane was used to lift the roof off during dismantling, eliminating the need for additional lifting apparatus.

The first-floor structure was designed with both strength and aesthetics in mind – all steel members and connections were meticulously designed to seamlessly blend in with the beautiful, recycled timber floor joists.

Project Outcomes

The Silo Accommodation project was successfully completed, meeting all client expectations and engineering standards. Key outcomes include:

1. Enhanced Structural Integrity

The engineered solutions provided robust support for all structural elements, ensuring the safety and stability of the accommodation.

2. Aesthetic and Functional Design

The integration of structural support members was achieved without compromising the aesthetic appeal of the silo, maintaining its unique charm.

3. Client Satisfaction

The client and tradesmen expressed high satisfaction with the engineering solutions provided by Cresco Australia, highlighting the professionalism and expertise demonstrated throughout the project.

Conclusion

The Silo Accommodation project exemplifies Cresco Australia’s commitment to delivering innovative and reliable engineering solutions. By overcoming the challenges presented by this unique project, we demonstrated our ability to adapt existing structures to modern requirements while maintaining aesthetic and functional integrity.

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