On Monday afternoon, a large grain bin on La Prairie Road in Camden, Illinois, collapsed, spilling approximately 750,000 bushels of grain. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and officials are investigating while operations at the farm have been temporarily suspended.
With about 80 percent of the spilled grain expected to be saved, Western Grain Marketing told TV station WGEM that it is focusing on containment and recovery efforts. This incident is a reminder of the importance of adhering to best practices in bin operation and maintenance to prevent collapses and protect both resources and employees.
Scott Docherty, general manager of Western Grain Marketing, noted that while the collapse is disruptive, it’s unlikely to impact the grain market.
“Farmers are finishing up harvest right now, and we’re down to the last 10 to 20 percent,” he said. “We’re able to handle what’s left in the fields and then move grain to where it needs to go to accommodate all our customers.”
In the meantime, he said that customers are being directed to Western Grain Marketing’s other locations for grain delivery.
Grain bin collapse causes
Grain bins have come a long way since the 1970s, when bin failures were more frequent. At that time, marketing departments often determined bin specifications without consulting engineers, leading to structural issues.
Today, bin designs have improved significantly, but collapses still occur. According to one of the largest insurers of grain facilities, the top three causes of bin collapse are wind, improper loading and unloading, and structural aging.
While wind cannot be controlled, other factors can be managed to reduce the likelihood of collapse.
Unloading and loading
Grain bins behave like balloons, shifting based on their contents. Off-center loading or unloading places pressure on one side, potentially destabilizing the bin. Proper unloading using a sidedraw spout and flume minimizes wall pressure and maintains vertical strength. This method distributes the weight evenly, which is essential for structural integrity.
Bin sweeps
Many facilities prefer single-pass bin sweeps over double-pass sweeps to avoid employees entering bins for safety reasons. However, bins over 10 years old may not be equipped for single-pass sweeps, which lack the capacity to evenly reduce grain levels. Using single-pass sweeps in older bins can accelerate wear and risk structural integrity.
Roof loads
As facilities strive to increase handling capacity, many have upgraded to larger-capacity conveyors. However, exceeding a bin’s peak load capacity, especially on older structures, increases the risk of collapse. Operators must ensure any additional equipment aligns with the bin’s load limits to prevent structural stress.
Aging structures
Regular inspection is critical for aging bins, particularly in areas like steel thickness, door frames, and the concrete foundation, which are prone to wear over time. Even with proper engineering, aging structures require close monitoring to identify early signs of stress or deterioration.
