Concrete Storage Bays
Precast walling solutions for grain, silage, waste, and recycling
Why Choose Precast for Storage Bays
Building strong, reliable storage bays isn’t just about holding material in place; it’s about minimising downtime, protecting your investment, and keeping operations running safely. Precast walls are manufactured off-site and delivered ready to install, allowing bays to be constructed swiftly and tailored to your site’s specific needs.
With a variety of wall types available, you can select the system that best suits your project – whether that’s a permanent cast-in wall for a new silage clamp, bolt-down walls for a quick retrofit, or flexible solutions like interlocking blocks for reconfigurable bays.
Key Benefits of Precast in Storage Bay Construction
Quick installation – Modular products arrive ready to be positioned, keeping harvest schedules and waste operations on track.
Flexible layouts – Combine different wall types to create push-walls, dividing walls, or temporary bays.
Robust performance – Built to withstand loaders, bulk materials, and surcharges where needed.
Custom options – Joints can be sealed for moisture or fire protection, and reinforcement cover can be increased for tough environments.
Suitable Products For Concrete Storage Bays
Best for: Converting existing concrete slabs into grain, silage, or recycling bays.
Bolt-down walls are an effective choice when retrofitting bays into an existing yard. Units are secured to a slab with chemical fixings and grouted underneath for maximum stability, making them durable enough for heavy materials and repeated machinery use.
Heights from 1.0m to 5.0m
Fixed with steel bars and Sika® AnchorFix resin
Reversible toe for added protection from plant inside bays
Designed for surcharge loads up to 20 kN/m²
Best for: New-build grain stores, silage clamps, and large-scale recycling sites.
Cast-in walls are incorporated into a new slab, forming a permanent push-wall capable of withstanding daily stresses from bulk storage. The integrated toe offers strength and stability without the need for extra fixings, providing a long-term solution for high-use bays.
Heights from 1.0m to 3.8m
Toe cast into new floor slab for stability
Smooth mould finish for clean, professional appearance
Low-maintenance design for decades of use
Best for: Large silage clamps, biomass storage, and heavy-duty waste facilities.
For maximum durability, HD cast-in units provide increased cover to reinforcement and taller wall heights. They are designed for more severe environments, aggressive materials, and surcharge loads where tractors or loaders pass over silage clamps.
Heights up to 5.0 m
Option to increased reinforcement cover for corrosion protection
Handles surcharge loads up to 20 kN/m²
Engineered for higher surcharge capacity
Best for: Temporary stockpiles or bays where layouts change frequently.
Freestanding walls are a flexible choice when you need bays that can be rearranged or moved. Their stability relies on their own weight, making them ideal for use in lighter or temporary storage applications.
Heights from 1.5m to 3.5m
No fixings or foundations required
Easy to relocate for changing site layouts
Smooth mould finish with chamfered edges
Best for: Agricultural grain stores, portal-frame buildings, and fire-separated storage.
Prestressed panels span between steel columns to form push-walls or perimeter walls. Installed either inside the web or on the outside face, they provide a clean and efficient way to construct bays without losing space. Joints can be sealed for moisture or fire resistance.
Thicknesses: 150mm, 180mm or 280 mm
Lengths 3m to 6m to suit steel centres
Option to install outside steels to protect frames from corrosion
Sealed joints available for moisture or fire protection
Best for: Rapid-build dividing walls or temporary storage segregation.
Interlocking blocks quickly stack to create dividing or perimeter walls without fixings. With part-blocks available, they offer a versatile system for constructing strong, adaptable bays of any size.
Wide range of sizes, including part-blocks for neat layouts
A1 fire-rated, with no steel reinforcement
Stackable for strong, self-supporting bays
Long design life with minimal maintenance
Case Study Spotlight - Gallagher Group Storage Bays
Gallagher Group needed a set of flexible storage bays for a new waste recycling project in Ashford for the local council, constructed on a new reinforced concrete yard slab. The main requirement was that nothing could be anchored into the slab, so the bay walls had to be fully self-supporting while still safely containing bulk materials.
Working directly with the Gallagher team, we recommended freestanding precast retaining wall units as a faster, cleaner alternative to block systems, reducing the number of units needed and making installation easier.
What to Consider Before You Build a Storage Bay
- Material Type & Density – Different materials place different demands on a bay. Grain, silage, aggregates, recycling materials, and biomass all differ in weight, moisture content, and loading. Heavier or more aggressive materials may need HD cast-in systems with increased reinforcement cover.
- Surcharge & Machinery Loading – Consider how loaders, tractors, or plant will operate within the bay. Cast-in and HD cast-in walls can withstand surcharge loads up to 20 kN/m² and repeated machinery impact, while freestanding units are better suited for light or temporary use.
Foundation Type & Ground Conditions – Choose a wall system suitable for your base: Bolt-down walls attach to existing slabs using resin anchors and grout. Cast-in and HD cast-in walls integrate with new slabs for strength. Freestanding walls need a level surface but no fixings. Ensure the foundation levels and slab quality correspond to the expected bay loads.
- Installation Method & Steelwork Layout – If you’re using horizontal prestressed panels, check that the steel column spacing (typically 3m to 6 m) matches the panel lengths. Panels can be installed inside the web or on the outer face of RSJs (Rolled Steel Joists) to prevent steelwork from corrosion and maximise internal space.
Wall Height & Storage Capacity – Wall height affects both capacity and machinery access. Standard heights range from 1m to 5m, depending on the system type. For tall silage or biomass bays, HD cast-in units provide extra strength and durability.
Moisture, Sealing & Hygiene Requirements – Grain, silage, and some waste streams need protection from moisture. Joints in panel systems can be sealed for moisture resistance or fire separation, while all systems provide smooth mould finishes for easier cleaning and lower contamination risk.
Access for Plant & Delivery Logistics – Plan safe lifting routes for telehandlers, HIABs, or cranes during installation. Storage bays are often situated in busy yards, so coordinate sequencing with ongoing operations, especially during harvest or peak waste-processing periods.
Flexibility & Future Changes – If your layout might change, freestanding retaining walls or Allegro® interlocking blocks enable bays to be resized, moved, or reconfigured with minimal downtime. Permanent bays benefit more from cast-in or bolt-down solutions.
Concrete Storage Bay Questions We Get All The Time
For silage, we recommend cast-in or HD cast-in retaining walls. The integrated toe provides stability, and HD units can withstand machinery surcharges up to 20 kN/m². Joints can also be sealed to comply with SSAFO regulations.
Yes, panels are ideal for agricultural grain stores, especially when installed on the outer face of the steels and sealed to prevent moisture ingress.
Freestanding walls are most suitable for lighter or temporary materials. For heavier, denser materials or permanent bays, bolt-down, cast-in, or panels are a better option.
Precast bays are low-maintenance. Regular checks for sealant integrity and surface wear are recommended, especially for grain and silage where moisture is a concern. Minor chips can be repaired using standard repair mortars.