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Foundation Design Philosophy For Rotating Equipment
Foundation Design Philosophy For Rotating Equipment
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1. Design of structures and foundations for vibrating machines by S. Arya, M. O'Neill and G. Pincus
2. Foundation analysis and design by J. E. Bowels
3. Dynamics of bases and foundations by D. Barkan
4. Design of Machine Foundations - Lecture Notes of Professor M.H. El Naggar, Department of Civil
Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B9
In this page I will talk about the rigid block foundation for Centrifugal (Pump) and Reciprocating machines
(Compressor). We are considering the concrete block is infinitely rigid and thus a lump mass model can be
considered in computer 3D modelling. To start the design of a block foundation, we need to follow the following
steps to collect the design data:
Step-1 : Review of pump / compressor drawing (Vendor Equipment Drawing)
The machine data pertinent to the dynamic analysis and design of the block foundation should be obtained
from vendors.
Plan dimension of pump / compressor base frame
Height of rotor / shaft center line from the bottom of skid
Anchor bolt location, size and embedment depth
Weight of machine parts and the rotor parts (pump / compressor rotor and motor rotor)
Location of center of gravity both vertically and horizontally
Operating speed of machines and power rating of motor (RPM)
Magnitude and direction of unbalanced forces.
For reciprocating machines both primary and secondary unbalanced forces and couples and
respective CG locations needs to be checked.
Limit of deflection and vibration amplitudes at center line of rotor.
Step-2 : Collection of Geotechnical / soil data (Pl discuss with soil consultant and look into project design criteria)
The Geotechnical data are used for evaluating the soil / pile stiffness and damping coefficients, and are
required for both static and dynamic design and analysis of of block foundations. Following soil parameters
are required:
Soil weight density
Poisson's ratio
Dynamic shear modulus (G)
Shear wave velocity (vs)
Dynamic modulus of sub-grade reaction (ks)
Allowable soil bearing pressure or pile load carrying capacity for design of foundation
Step-3 : Categorization of rotating machines based on machine speed:
The rotating machines are categorized based on machine speed. Following are different categories of
machines:
Low Speed machine: The low speed machines operate at a speed range of less than 500 RPM. High
tuned foundations, having first natural frequency more than machine's operating speed, should be
designed for this type of machines. In this case machine do not pass the resonance during machine
start up and coast down condition.
Intermediate speed machine: The intermediate speed machines operate at a speed range 500 RPM to
1000 RPM. Foundations should be designed for this type of machines high tuned or low tuned side
whchever more practical. If the foundation is low tuned, dynamic amplitude shall be checked during
start up and coast down condition.
High Speed machine: The high speed machines operate at a speed range of more than 1000 RPM.
Low tuned foundations, having first natural frequency less than machine's operating speed, should be
designed for this type of machines. In this case machine will pass the resonance during machine start
up and coast down condition. Dynamic amplitude shall be checked during start up and coast down
condition. You need to ensure that there is no adverse effect to machine operation during the resonant
conditions.
Variable Speed machine: The variable speed machines operate at a speed range as prescribed by
vendor. Foundations should be designed for this type of machines high tuned or low tuned side
whchever more practical. A detail dynamic analysis of foundation is required for a range of machine
operating speeds to ensure that the dynamic design criteria are met.
Step-4 : Preliminary sizing of foundations:
A block foundation consists of massive concrete blocks, piers and mat foundation. The preliminary sizinng of
block should be based on the following:
Weight of the block foundation should be at least 4 times the weight of reciprocating machines and 3
times the weight of centrifugal machines.
The width of foundation should be at least 1.5 times the vertical distance from the bottom of foundation
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Eccentricity e (mils)
Pump / compressor
f < 3000
(1.8-107) / (f)2
Pump / compressor
f > 3000
(12000/f)1/2
Motor
f < 1500
1.5
Motor
Motor
f > 3000
0.5
Now you are having all the information to start the foundation analysis and design. You can put all the above data
in any computer software program (say - Dyna5) or use any text books to calculated the natural frequencies of
foundation. You can also use the different tables that I have attached here (click for the table).
Natural frequency analysis of foundation:
This rigid block has six degree of freedom. So, you will calculate all the following uncouple natural frequencies:
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I hope this page will be very helpful to you to understand the basic design of a Pump foundation.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Please do not print or copy of this page or any part of this page without written
permission from Subhro Roy.
Disclaimer: This page is prepared based on experience on Civil Engineering Design. All definitions and most of the
explanations are taken from different text books and international design codes, which are referenced in the contents. Any
similarity of the content or part of with any company document is simply a coincidence. Subhro Roy is not responsible for
that.
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