ABSTRACT
The hopper in a silo supports the majority of the material stored within the silo (Fig. 19.1), and the force derived from this load must generally pass up the hopper, through the transition junction and into the supports (Fig. 19.2). The top of the hopper, its connection to the transition ring, and its support at this key point are thus absolutely vital to the integrity of the silo. The discussion presented here therefore begins with the hopper itself, but very quickly becomes concerned with transition rings and the relationships between the hopper and ring. A summary of design criteria with the relevant equations was presented by Rotter (1990).
