A very special thanks to for all the information and images contained in this project. Grain bins require special design. Storing grain is different than containing a liquid, as the two materials react very differently. Liquids cannot resist shear force so pressure is the same in all directions. The force profile is triangular, with the largest horizontal forces at the bottom.
Vertical forces are very low.
Grain creates lateral and vertical pressures on a wall, so grain analysis is similar to soil analysis. The force profile is arched for grain in a bin. A series of corrugated metal panels formed into rings creates the basic shape of a bin. The height of a bin is often referred to in 'rings' as opposed to feet. Grain bins are actually assembled from the top down.