Loads in a scaled, model bin subjected to cyclic ambient temperature

Thermally induced loads on bin walls were measured by conducting tests on a model bin. The model bin was filled with wheat and was subjected to three complete temperature cycles with an amplitude of 10°C and a nominal rate of decrease and increase of 10°C/h. The mean thermal pressure coefficient was 0.22 kPa/°C for the temperature decreasing mode in the first cycle, and ranged from 0.36 to 0.41 kPa/°C for the rest of the increasing and decreasing temperature modes in all cycles. Comparison with the preceding cycle indicated that the thermal pressure coefficient increased with cycle number by 63.6% and 5.5% during the temperature decreasing mode, and by 5.2% and 2.5% during the temperature increasing mode. Comparison within the same cycle indicated that the thermal pressure coefficient for the temperature increasing mode was 72.7%, 11.1%, and 7.8% higher than the values for temperature decreasing mode in the first, second and third cycles, respectively.