Hallett Concrete’s 42m storage dome in Port Adelaide collapses

A 42m-tall inflatable dome in Port Adelaide has mysteriously disintegrated just days after it was erected, sending debris across the area.

The 42-metre tall "Domesilo" cement storage dome has exploded at Hallett’s Green Cement Distribution Hub. Picture: supplied

A 42m-tall dome in Hallett Concrete at Port Adelaide has collapsed in a shower of debris about a week after it was inflated.

Construction workers are at the site, where the whole dome is in tatters and completely deflated, spreading debris across the area.

A spokesperson for Hallet Group confirmed no one was injured and blamed the dome’s collapse on strong wind-gust conditions that swept Adelaide on Thursday.

The dome was inflated last week as part of a project to contain dust and store concrete at Hallett’s green cement distribution centre.

The huge 42-metre tall "Domesilo" cement storage dome has exploded at Hallett’s Green Cement Distribution Hub. Picture: supplied

The group said it would work with the dome manufacturer and construction company to investigate the fault, aiming to get the project proceeding as soon as possible.

“The inflatable skin of the dome is purely the outer formwork for the soon-to-be-constructed primary structure made from 17,000 tonnes of concrete and 2000 tonnes of steel, which will be capable of storing up to 52,000 tonnes of cement,” the spokesperson said.

“While the structure’s collapse is a set backwards, Hallett will complete the investigation, correct the issues and proceed with the project as soon as possible,” he said.

“The construction technique of using an inflatable dome skin followed by an internal concrete structure has been successfully performed over 2000 times around the globe.”

A worker inspects the remains of the giant inflatable storage silo at Hallet Group. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The remains of a giant inflatable storage silo at Hallet Group at Berth 25 in Port Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Workers collect debris from the remains of a giant inflatable storage silo at Hallet Group in Port Adelaide, after it collapsed in high winds. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The 42-metre tall Domesilo cement storage dome being inflated at Hallett’s Green Cement Distribution Hub. Picture: Hallett Concrete

The MFS said received an emergency triple-0 call around 12.30pm on Thursday, with reports a cable was lying across a powerline and touching a tree.

The cable, which became disconnected from the dome itself and fell on the powerline, sparked a small tree fire.

MFS quickly extinguished the fire and SA Power Networks attended the scene to remove the cable.

The 42m-tall Domesilo cement storage after it was fully inflated at Hallett’s Green Cement Distribution Hub. Picture: Hallett Concrete

The dome first appeared in late January to the bemusement of locals but was soon revealed to be an storage facility.

The inflatable dome — lined inside with 5cm of rigid foam to give it strength — will hold 52,000 tonnes of cement, and goes with a 15,000-ton storage shed.

The Advertiser understands chunks of foam were scattered around the site.

The remains of the giant inflatable storage silo at Hallet Group in Port Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The remains of the ‘Domesilo’ inflatable storage silo. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

One witness said they “heard a loud bang, went outside and there is no more structure. Five minutes later, a helicopter was circling the area and sirens could be heard in the distance.”

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