Design of A Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment
Design of A Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment
Design of A Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment
rotate the bolt which is resting on this steel plate and from the moving of
these bolts can adjust the machine leveling during installation.
For this type of foundation, there are some soil parameters that are
required in case of vibrating equipment.
• The allowable bearing capacity
• The soil density: ρ
• The shear modulus: G
• The shear wave velocity shall be calculated from the following formula:
sffiffiffiffi
G
Vs 5
ρ
Kx 5 0:5 Kz
Kφ 5 2 Kz
Kθ 5 0:75 Kz
6π
B and L are the width and length of the foundation, respectively. h is the foundation depth
embedment below the grade.
Table 7.4 provides a summary of the calculation of the mass ratio, the
damping ratio, the spring constant, and the natural frequency for different
modes of vibration based on the foundation dimensions and the geo-
technical data from the soil investigation tests.
(b) (a)
(c) (d)
Figure 7.5 Modes of excitation: (a) horizontal excitation, (b) vertical excitation,
(c) torsional excitation, and (d) rocking excitation.
Translation Rocking
The mass moment of inertia for a prism can be calculated from the
following equation as shown in Fig. 7.7:
1
Ix 5 mða2 1 b2 Þ
12
1
Iy 5 mða2 1 L 2 Þ
12
1
Iz 5 mðb2 1 L 2 Þ
12
Iz0 5 Iz 1 mL 2 =4
Design of a Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment 327
x
b
L/2
L
z⬘
z
Figure 7.7 Moment of inertia calculation in three directions.
Axis of
C.G. of rotation
footing and (shaft)
machine
1.0 m
6.0 m
1.0 m
3.8 m
2.5
0.1 g
Acceleration = 1 g
Horizontal amplitude of vibrations for single bearing
25 mm/s
E
0.25
D
implitude in mm
0.025
B
0.0025
100 1000 10,000
Frequency, cpm
Figure 7.9 Dynamic limits condition.
Solution:
4. Trial sizing for the foundation
The footing trial size based on the previous trial as a guide, as
illustrated in Section 7.3 will be as shown in Fig. 7.10.
Weight of the footing, WF 5 147.35 ton
Total static load 5 machine weight 1 footing weight 5 173.41 ton
Footing weight/machine weight 5 5.65 . 5 OK
Actual soil pressure 5 173.41/8.5(4.8) 5 4.3 t/m2
Less than 0.5qall OK
This trial dimension is OK.
1. Mass and mass moment of inertia
M 5 Wg
Xn h i
mt 2
Iψ1ϕ 5 ða1 1 b21 Þ 1 m1 k21
1
12
Compressor forces
Axis of
rotation
C.G. of ftg. (shaft)
and
machine
Motor forces
Axis of rocking,Ψ
1.0 m
8.5 m
1.5 m Axisofofpitching,
Axis pitching,φ
4.8 m
2. Spring constant
These data will be calculated from the following table.
In the rock direction: L 5 8.5 m and B 5 4.8 m.
In the pitching direction: L 5 4.8 m and B 5 8.5 m.
Parameter Vertical Horizontal Rocking Pitching
excitation direction excitation excitation
(z-direction) (x-direction) (ψ-direction) (φ-direction)
3. Damping ratio
4. Natural frequency
rffiffiffiffi
60 k
fn 5
2π m
5. Machine parameter
Fzo(P) 5 0.603 ton
Fzo(S) 5 0.25 ton
Fxo(p) 5 0.329 ton
Tψo(P) 5 1.563 1 0.329 3 2.44 5 2.366 mt
Tφo(P) 5 4.7 mt
Design of a Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment 335
Tφo(S) 5 1.71 mt
Displacement response:
The displacement response will be calculated from the following
equation:
In vertical direction, z: Z 5 Σ MzFzo/Kz
In horizontal direction, x: X 5 Σ MxFxo/Kx
In rocking excitation: Ψ 5 Σ MψFψo/Kψ
In pitching excitation: φ 5 Σ MφFφo/Kφ
Total displacement in z-direction 5 Z 1 ψ L/2 1 φB/2.
Zt 5 Z 1 ψRψ 1 φRφ
Zt 5 0.0026 1 0.828 3 1026 3 4200 1 5.6369 3 1026 3 2400
Parameter Vertical excitation Horizontal direction Rocking excitation Pitching excitation
(z-direction) (x-direction) (ψ-direction) (φ-direction)
0.1
Danger to
structures
Displacement amplitude Amax, in.
Limits for
0.01 machine and
foundation
Troublesome
to persons
Easily
noticeable
0.001 to persons
Not
noticeable to
persons
0.0001
100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10,000
Frequency, rpm
Figure 7.11 Frequency limits.
Design of a Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment 337
As the primary and secondary are 585 and 1170 rpm, it will be
safe, and no resonance will occur.
For pitching mode: 0.8fm 5 0.8 3 1717.6 5 1374.1 rpm
1.2fm 5 1.2 3 1717.6 5 2061.1 rpm
As the primary and secondary are 585 and 1170 rpm, it will be
safe, and no resonance will occur.
6. The transmissibility factor is usually considered for high frequency
machines mounted on springs. The transmissibility factor should
be less than 1.
Example 3: Design of Steel Structure Support Under
Machine Skid
Check steel frame support gas generator package with the follow-
ing data as shown in Fig. 7.12.
Dry weight 5 14.0 ton
Wet weight 5 15.5 ton
Skid dimension: 5.8 m 3 1.0 m
Machine has 1000 rpm
Beam section: W10 3 22 with steel ASTM A36 with Fy equal to
240 MPa
Solution:
Figure 7.12 presents the structure system with the applied load.
Maximum beam design moment 5 4.07 mt
Maximum beam stress5 4.07/3.8 3 1024 5 10705.5 t/m2 5 105 MPa
Allowable beam stress 5 0.66 3 240 5 158 MPa
1.25 m
2.8 mm
0.5 m 0.5 m
28,700/2
28,700/2
1.6 t/m’
4.064 m
7.4.4 Grouting
Grouting can be done only after the installation of the inertia block or
pad has fully cured and the sole plates have been positioned and leveled.
On sole plate installations, grouting is important, as it anchors the sole
plates in place. Since the sole plates support the engine, it is important
that the grout be installed properly to hold the plates level.
Engines and common skids can be mounted directly to the grout
without the use of sole plates. When this is done, the engine must be
mounted and leveled before the grout is poured. After installing the
342 Onshore Structural Design Calculations
machine the mechanical department will install shims to adjust the level-
ing by doing alignment and balancing to the machine and after that the
civil department is responsible for pouring the grouting under the engine
skid to have a strong bond between skid and the foundation.
Grouting procedure is critical to follow under good supervision and a
competent applicator.
The first step is to make a form around the inertia block or pad. If possi-
ble, pour the grout from one point on the inertia block or pad only, and allow
the grout to flow under the machine skid. This pouring procedure will help
decrease the chances of air pockets being trapped between the engine and the
inertia block or pad. Air pockets will decrease the contact area between the
grouting and machine skid. Also, a metallic-based grout will expand into
these spaces and force the engine out of alignment. If the pour point on the
engine or common skid is slightly higher than the rest of the inertia block or
pad, the grout will flow more easily under the machine skid.
The best way to install a concrete, metallic-based grout is to form
wedge-shaped grout pads. These pads should run the length of the engine
or common skid. Slope the grout outward in a wedge shape towards the
inertia block or pad to provide better support. Sole plates can be embed-
ded in this run of grout, or the engine base can be installed directly on it.
The advantage of this grouting technique is that it will keep grout out
from under the engine. The grout will not be able to expand up into the
hollow area under the engine base and force the engine out of alignment.
Grouting should be worked into place using rods or chain lengths.
Work the material gently to avoid air entrapment.
When using sole plates, pour in enough grout to embed the plates
1/2 in. (13 mm) into the grout. When sole plates are not used, never
allow the grout to come up over the engine base or common skid, to
allow for future adjustments.
Follow the grout manufacturer’s instructions for applying the grout
and recommendations for curing times. Concrete grouts must be sealed
after curing. All metallic based grouts should be sealed to prevent rust
from destroying the grout.
If the grout is allowed to settle at a slight outward slope, oil and water
will be able to run off the inertia block or pad.
After the grout has cured, remove the leveling screws and remove any
accumulation from the common skid or engine base. Save enough grout to
pour into the inertia block bolt sleeves after the engine has been aligned.
Design of a Foundation Under Vibrating Equipment 343
Many epoxy grouts are also available, which provide superior perfor-
mance for these applications.
REFERENCES
API standard for centrifugal compressor, Section 2.18.4.
Ary, S.C., O’Neil, M.W., Pincus, G., 1984. Design of Structures and Foundation for
Vibrating Machine. Gulf of Publishing, USA.
Barkan, D.D., 1962. Dynamics of bases and foundation. McGrow Hill, NY.
Baxter, R.L., Bernhard, D.L., “Vibration Tolerances for industry”, ASME paper
67-PEM-14, plant engineering and maintenance conference, Detroit, Michigan,
April 1967.
FBREEKA, vibration and shock control manual, 2009.
Major, A., 1962. Vibration Analysis and Design of Foundation for Machines and
Yurbines. Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, Collet’s Holding Limited, London.
Richart, F.E., Hall, J.R., Woods, R.D., 1970. Vibrations of soils and Foundations.
Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs.
Waukesha manual, installation of Waukesha engines and Eginator system, 2004.