At present it is estimated that 25% of the production of grains produced in Brazil is lost during harvest and post harvest phases but this can be reduced, in case, the country stimulates the storage of production. With the intention of promoting the storage of production in an economically viavel form, this work had the objective of studying the use of concrete blocks in the construction of circular silos. A block was developed with special geometry, moulded with mortar of 1:3, 1:4 and 1:6 (cement: sand), which was analyzed by water absorption, compression and shear strength tests and submitted to two types of cure: natural and submerged. Among the studied mixtures which achieved the compression resistance required by ABNT 7173 were 1:3 and 1:4. Since there is no specific norm for tension strength, a methodology was developed to simulate the tension force to which the walls of the circular silos are submitted; the blocks molded with 1:3 and 1:4 mortars achieved strength necessary for a silo with height of 4.0 m and height/diameter ratio equal to 1.
constructive technique; strength; storage of grains
