Flat-Bottom Grain Silo

A flat-bottom grain silo is built for large-volume storage where the priority is holding the harvest rather than turning it over fast. The cylindrical shell sits on a flat concrete base, and grain is moved out using sweep augers or similar mechanised systems. For farms, cooperatives, and grain merchants storing big tonnages for months at a time, the flat-bottom design gives the most capacity per pound spent on construction. 

When to Choose a Flat-Bottom Grain Silo 

Flat-bottom silos suit operations where storage capacity matters more than discharge speed. They are the natural choice for grain merchants, cooperatives, and large arable farms holding wheat, barley, maize, and oil seeds across the post-harvest window. The flat base lets the silo go wider and taller for the same investment, which is why flat-bottom silos dominate when total tonnage is the driver. Discharge uses sweep augers or floor systems rather than gravity, so flow rates are designed in rather than fixed by hopper angle. 

The Brice-Baker Flat-Bottom Grain Silo Range 

Our Brice-Baker flat-bottom grain silos have been refined over 45 years of grain storage design and manufacture. They are built from G600 galvanised steel up to 3mm wall thickness, with heavier components hot-dipped for extra protection. The shallow corrugation profile keeps the interior cleaner by minimising material hang-up, and the conical roof gives load-bearing strength across the full diameter. Every silo is manufactured to BS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2001 for steel and aluminium structures. 

Flat-Bottom Grain Silo Design and Specifications 

The structural design of a flat-bottom silo balances diameter, height, wall thickness, and stiffener geometry against the static and dynamic loads of stored grain. Our silos use external fish-plated stiffeners for vertical stability and shallow profile wall sheets for clean discharge. The strong conical roof carries snow, equipment, and operational loads while preserving access for inspection. All components are G600 galvanised, which gives a corrosion barrier across short and long-term storage cycles. 

Flat-Bottom Silo Capacity and Diameter Options 

Brice-Baker flat-bottom silos are available from 3m to 25m in diameter, with working volumes up to 11,888 cubic metres per silo. That covers everything from single-farm storage through to multi-silo grain silo sites holding tens of thousands of tonnes across a season. Sizing starts with the tonnage to be held and the storage duration, then layers in the site footprint and any planning constraints. Multiple silos can be configured in groups for segregation by variety, grade, or contract. 

Loading, Discharge, and Aeration on a Flat-Bottom Silo 

Flat-bottom silos are equipped with mechanised loading and unloading systems matched to the throughput of the site, including conveyors, augers, and grain cleaners. Aeration is built in to manage temperature and humidity across the storage window, which protects grain quality during the months it sits in the silo. Customisable ladder and gantry systems give safe access for routine silo inspection, and our silo refurbishment team handles aged or wearing assets without a full rebuild. 

Size a Flat-Bottom Grain Silo for Your Site 

If you are planning long-term grain storage and weighing the tonnage against your site, a flat-bottom silo is typically where the conversation starts. Franklin Hodge designs and installs the Brice-Baker range from 3m to 25m in diameter. Tell us the tonnage and the storage window, and we will come back to you with the right configuration. Contact us for more information.