The vertical loads imposed on a full-scale bin floor by wheat were measured during a storage time of 6 h. The floor loads were determined to be dependent on the length of storage time. A linear regression model was developed to predict this change in loads in relation to detention time. The linear regression equation had coefficient of determination values ranging from 0.230 to 0.817. Analysis of the model slopes also indicated that fill height and radial location affect the vertical floor loads with a statistical significance level of 0.05.

The radial distribution of vertical pressure during detention was measured. The vertical pressure distribution is dependent on radial location and is not uniformly distributed. Radial location significantly influenced the vertical pressure at the 0.05 significance level. The distribution pattern is similar to the filling condition.