Why choose large-span grid structure for coal yard storage?

With the continuous optimization of the energy structure and the increasing demand for coal logistics, coal yards, as a crucial link in coal transshipment, storage, and supply, are undergoing a rapid transformation in their construction methods, shifting from traditional models to new, efficient, energy-saving, and safe structures. Especially in modern coal storage and transportation systems, large-span grid structures are widely used in various coal yard constructions due to their superior space utilization, excellent environmental adaptability, and outstanding overall economic efficiency.

What is a Large-Span Space Frame Structure?
A large-span space frame structure is a spatial load-bearing structural system composed of multiple members, typically arranged in a grid pattern and connected by ball joints or plate joints to form a whole. Compared with traditional structures, space frames have significant advantages in stress distribution, structural stability, and span capacity, enabling the covering of spaces with single spans of 40–150 meters or even larger.
Space frames used in coal yards are mostly closed or semi-closed large-span arched, bidirectional orthogonal, or spiral space frames. The top can be equipped with roofing systems such as color steel plates, aluminum-magnesium-manganese plates, and membrane materials to achieve shielding, rain protection, and environmentally friendly storage of coal.

Why Choose a Large-Span Grid Structure for Coal Yard Storage?
1. Large Span Coverage Meets Coal Yard Storage Capacity Requirements
Coal yards have massive storage capacities and vast storage areas. Traditional structures, with their dense column grids, not only occupy land but also interfere with machinery operation routes. Large-span grid structures, however, span tens or even hundreds of meters at a time, achieving a truly large-space, column-free structure.
Advantages include:
Larger operating space for stacker-reclaimers, loaders, and belt conveyors;
20-40% increase in coal stack height and capacity;
Smoother internal logistics, reducing interference from structural columns on vehicle tracks.
For coal production enterprises, this translates to increased storage capacity per unit area and improved operational efficiency, directly translating into economic benefits.

2.Outstanding Wind, Rain, and Dust Resistance
Coal yards in mines and ports are mostly located in open or semi-open environments, suffering from severe problems such as wind, rain, and dust spillage. Large-span grid-frame coal storage facilities, with their enclosed structure, significantly improve environmental conditions.
Good Wind Resistance: The grid structure boasts strong overall integrity, offering superior wind and snow load resistance compared to ordinary steel structures.
Strong Rain Protection: The continuously enclosed roof system effectively prevents heat loss and coal sludge contamination caused by rainwater washing away coal.
Comprehensive Dust Control: Enclosed coal yards effectively reduce coal dust spillage, meeting increasingly stringent environmental control requirements in various regions.
Against the backdrop of mounting environmental pressure, grid-frame coal storage is a crucial method for achieving green coal storage.

3. Customized Design
Different coal yards have significantly different process requirements, such as:
Belt conveyor system layout;
Stacker-reclaimer track span;
Automation equipment installation;
Workface height requirements;
Complexity of port area terrain, etc.
Large-span space frame structures offer extremely high customizability:
The space frame geometry can be optimized according to the stacker equipment tracks;
It can be made into various shapes such as arches, cylinders, double slopes, and polygons;
Large-sized portals can be created to accommodate vehicles, trains, and belt conveyors;
Trusses and members can be flexibly optimized according to load requirements, resulting in superior structural economy.
It is precisely this flexibility that makes it the "optimal solution" for various types of coal yards.

4. Fast Installation and Short Construction Period
Coal storage and transportation projects typically require rapid commissioning, and the prefabricated nature of large-span space frame structures significantly shortens their construction period compared to traditional construction methods.
Components are prefabricated in factories and assembled on-site;
They are not limited by seasons and can be constructed year-round;
High hoisting efficiency, allowing for segmented assembly and overall lifting;
High construction precision and strong safety.
For coal yard construction projects aiming for rapid return on investment, a short construction period translates directly to high efficiency.

5. Low Maintenance Costs
Many people believe that large-span structures are expensive, but long-term operating cost calculations show that their economic advantages are even more pronounced.
Lightweight design of the space frame members reduces steel usage;
The structure is highly durable, with a service life typically reaching 30–50 years;
The use of corrosion-resistant materials significantly reduces maintenance costs;
It can reduce losses to coal quality caused by weather conditions such as rain and snow.
From a life-cycle cost perspective, space frame coal yards are typically 15–30% more economical than traditional structures.

6. Improving Coal Quality Management
As an energy product, the moisture content, calorific value, and storage stability of coal are closely related to environmental management.
Using a grid structure to enclose coal yards can bring about the following changes:
Reducing quality fluctuations caused by changes in moisture content;
Lowering the risk of spontaneous combustion of coal, especially suitable for lignite and high-volatile coal;
Controlling ash leakage and maintaining coal cleanliness;
Reducing natural losses and increasing usable quantity.
For coal-consuming enterprises such as power plants and steel mills, stable quality means more stable combustion efficiency and lower energy consumption.

Typical Structural Types of Large-Span Space Frame Coal Yards
Based on application requirements, commonly used space frame structures in coal yards include:
Arch-shaped space frame coal sheds: Common spans 60–120 meters; aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.
Cylindrical space frame coal sheds (enclosed): Can achieve full enclosure, offering optimal environmental performance; suitable for port coal yards and thermal power plant coal storage yards.
Cantilevered or single-slope space frame structures: Suitable for belt conveyor loading and unloading areas; requires minimal construction space.
Light steel + space frame combined structure: More economical; suitable for small and medium-sized coal yards.
The diversity of structural forms makes them applicable to various scenarios, from mine coal storage yards and port stockpiles to coal yards within thermal power plants and steel enterprises.

With coal still holding a significant position in the energy landscape, coal yard construction faces higher environmental standards, more limited land resources, and more stringent cost control requirements. Large-span grid structures, with their comprehensive advantages in space utilization, environmental performance, structural safety, and economy, have become one of the core technologies in the coal storage industry. In the future, with the development of intelligent and unmanned stacking and reclaiming systems, large-span grid coal yards will not only be storage facilities but also key infrastructure for "smart coal logistics."