Report of the Selected Buildings Projects Team on Grain Storage Structures

Abstract

The Selected Buildings Projects Team Report on Grain Storage Structures (1957) evaluates existing grain godown designs in the context of India’s Second Five-Year Plan and proposes structurally efficient and resource-saving alternatives. Confronted with acute shortages of steel and the operational limitations of conventional reinforced concrete and steel-truss godowns, the report examines multiple design options and recommends shell-type, specifically barrel shell, roofing as the most viable solution. This design offers improved storage flexibility, better ventilation and lighting, and significant reductions in steel consumption, while achieving overall cost savings despite higher cement use. The report also emphasizes modern foundation practices, optimized concrete mixes, and training in specialized construction techniques. Collectively, these recommendations mark a strategic advancement in grain storage infrastructure, aligning economic efficiency with long-term sustainability in public construction.