SPECIALTY SERVICES
Slipform Concrete Construction
Over 90 years of expertise in continuous slipform concrete construction for grain storage bins, concrete silos, elevator legs, and industrial storage structures. Hundreds of structures built across the US and Canada — stronger, taller, and more durable than any alternative construction method.
What Is Slipform Construction?
Continuous Concrete. No Cold Joints. Maximum Strength.
Slipform construction is a specialized concrete placement technique in which a continuously moving form system is used to pour concrete without stopping — producing a monolithic concrete structure with no horizontal construction joints, superior structural integrity, and the smooth, uniform wall finish that defines the world’s finest grain storage structures.
In slipform construction, hydraulic jacks advance the formwork upward at a controlled rate — typically 8 to 12 inches per hour — as fresh concrete is continuously placed and consolidated below, and cured concrete emerges above. The result is a seamless, monolithic concrete wall of exceptional quality.
Todd & Sargent has been slipforming concrete structures since the company’s earliest years — mastering the technique over decades of continuous practice on grain elevators, commercial facilities, and industrial complexes across the central United States and Canadian prairies. Our slipform crews are among the most experienced in North America.
A slipform operation runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with rotating crews maintaining continuous concrete placement until the structure is complete. This requires meticulous planning, experienced supervision, and a workforce trained in the unique demands of round-the-clock concrete construction.
Monolithic Construction – No Cold Joints
No cold joints means no structural weak points. Slipformed concrete structures are stronger than conventionally formed alternatives because the concrete is placed as a single continuous mass without horizontal construction joints where cracking and water infiltration can occur.
Faster Construction Timeline
The continuous nature of slipform construction means tall structures are completed in a fraction of the time required for conventional form-and-pour methods — often completing the concrete work on large grain bins in days rather than weeks.
Structures We Build with Slipform Concrete
Grain Storage Bins
Slipform concrete grain storage bins from 30 to 105 feet in diameter and up to 120+ feet tall. Our structural engineers design bin geometry, wall thickness, and reinforcing to meet grain pressure loads, wind loads, and seismic requirements for every site and grain type.
Commercial Grain Elevators
Country elevator and terminal elevator construction including concrete elevator legs, working house structures, head houses, and annexed storage bins. We deliver complete concrete elevator structures from foundation through roof, typically in a single continuous slipform operation.
Industrial Silos & Tanks
Concrete silos and tanks for industrial materials including cement, lime, potash, fertilizer, feed ingredients, and other granular or powdered materials. Our engineering team sizes the structure for your specific material properties and loading conditions.
Elevator Legs & Working Houses
The heart of a grain elevator — the concrete working house that contains the leg pit, receiving area, and equipment level — is a slipform specialty. Our crews have constructed working houses for country elevators and major terminal facilities across the grain belt.
Multi-Bin Storage Complexes
Modern grain storage facilities often require multiple interconnected bins with complex tunnel and reclaim systems below grade. Todd & Sargent coordinates slipform bin construction with the underground civil work for efficient overall project delivery.
Specialty Concrete Structures
In addition to traditional grain facility structures, our slipform capabilities extend to industrial towers, process silos, stacking tubes, and other large-diameter concrete structures for specialty industrial applications.
The Case for Slipform Concrete Construction
Superior Structural Integrity
Monolithic concrete without horizontal cold joints provides superior resistance to the lateral and vertical loads imposed by stored grain, wind, and seismic forces. Concrete grain bins built by T&S; have proven service lives of 50–100 years with proper maintenance.
Optimal Use of Footprint
Concrete bins make excellent use of storage capacity per square foot of footprint, with vertical walls that maximize usable volume compared to peaked steel bins of the same diameter.
Low Long-Term Maintenance
Properly designed and constructed slipform concrete structures have far lower long-term maintenance costs than steel alternatives — no painting, no panel replacement, no bolt retightening programs.
Fire and Explosion Resistance
Concrete construction provides inherent fire resistance and structural integrity in the event of a grain dust deflagration — a significant safety consideration for commercial grain storage facilities.
Slipform Construction FAQs
How tall can Todd & Sargent slipform a concrete grain bin?
We have constructed slipformed concrete grain storage bins exceeding 120 feet in wall height. The practical maximum height is determined by structural engineering requirements, site wind and seismic loads, and the grain type being stored. Our structural engineers design every bin to meet ASABE and IBC requirements.
How long does it take to slipform a concrete grain bin?
The slipform concrete operation itself — from the first pour to the top of the walls — typically takes 3 to 10 days per bin depending on wall height and diameter. Larger, taller structures take longer. The slipform pour runs 24/7 with rotating crews until complete.
What concrete mix does Todd & Sargent use for slipform construction?
Our concrete mix designs are tailored to slipform construction requirements — typically a moderate-slump mix with carefully controlled admixtures for workability, set time, and strength development. All mix designs are engineered and tested before construction and adjusted for ambient temperature conditions.
Can you combine slipform concrete bins with steel bins in the same project?
Yes, and many modern grain storage facilities do. Our engineering team designs hybrid storage configurations that leverage the strengths of each system for the appropriate application within the same facility.
Build Your Concrete Storage Structure
Contact our slipform construction team to discuss your grain bin, silo, or industrial concrete structure project.
