Client
ILVO
Location
Melle
Architect
Parallel architecte
Engineering consultancy
BDA Engineering
Construction period
06/2025 - 2025
Project size
2,000 m²
Innovative trench silos
STRABAG Belgium constructed four trench silos in cement-free geopolymer concrete for ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). The silos form part of an innovative pilot project in which different types of concrete are being applied and monitored.
Materials stored in trench silos, such as maize pulp, can contain acids that may attack the concrete. As part of this pilot project, different types of concrete are therefore being applied and monitored to evaluate their long-term performance. Buildwise monitors factors including moisture levels, temperature and the condition of the reinforcement.
A total of twelve trench silos were constructed for the project, divided between three types of concrete: four silos in traditional concrete, four in concrete containing recycled aggregates and four in cement-free geopolymer concrete with alkali-activated binders.
STRABAG Belgium, together with ResourceFull and AC Materials, was responsible for constructing the four trench silos in geopolymer concrete.
The use of geopolymer concrete is a distinctive feature of this project. According to Buildwise, this material can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared with traditional concrete. The performance of the different types of concrete is being monitored to further validate the technology.
More information about the pilot project is available on Buildwise’s page on cement-free concrete.
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