FOUNDATION DESIGN

APRIL 1992 PAGE 1 OF 8 EGE 01-B-8 1992

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Scope
2. Purpose
3. References
4. Definitions
5. Design
5.1 General
5.2 Detailed Design Requirements
5.3 Special Requirements for Machinery
Foundations
5.4 Grounding
6. Anchor Bolts
1. SCOPE
This Guide defines requirements for the design and construction of concrete foundations supporting
structures and equipment. Included are spread, strip, mat, and piled foundations.
Excluded from the scope are foundations for offshore structures in deep water and retaining structures such
as sheet-pile walls and cofferdams. For considerations in selection of a foundation type, refer to EGS 1202.
For tank foundation design, refer to EGS 262. For grout requirements, refer to EGE 01-B-9.
2. PURPOSE
This Guide describes procedures to be followed in designing foundations.
3. REFERENCES
The following publications form a part of this Guide. Unless otherwise specified herein, use the latest
edition.
Mobil Engineering Guides
EGE 00-B-3 Structures and Equipment External Loading Design Basis
EGE 01-B-1 Earthwork
EGE 01-B-7 Concrete Design and Construction
EGE 01-B-9 Grout
EGE 31-B-1 Steel Structures Design and Fabrication
EGE 33-B-14 Electrical Equipment Grounding and Bonding
EGS 104 Meteorological Data for Plant Design
EGS 262 Tank Foundation Design
EGS 1202 Foundation Systems
ACI (American Concrete Institute) Standard
Std 318 Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Standard
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
EGE 01-B-8 1992 PAGE 2 OF 8 APRIL 1992
B1.1 Screw Threads
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Standards
A36 Standard Specification for Structural Steel
A193 Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting Materials for High-Temperature Service
A307 Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs
A563 Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts
4. DEFINITIONS
Frequency Ratio The ratio of the exciting frequency (for example, machine speed) to the natural
frequency of the foundation system.
Pile Group Effect The reduction in individual pile capacity due to inadequate "share" of soil resistance,
caused by close pile spacing.
5. DESIGN
5.1 General
Factors that affect the design of foundations are the type and magnitudes of loads supported, meteorological
and subsoil conditions, and sensitivity of the structure to settlement. Load information should be obtained
as early as possible. Approved supplier prints for equipment loads are required prior to final design. For
meteorological conditions, see EGS 104. For subsoil conditions, a soil investigation is usually required. For
soil investigation requirements, refer to EGS 1202.
Foundation design shall be based on application of the accepted principles of soil mechanics. The design
shall meet two basic requirements: (1) provision of adequate factors of safety against failure in overturning,
sliding, or bearing; and (2) restriction of differential and total settlements to allowable limits.
Where a portion of a foundation is below the water table, the foundation shall be checked for buoyancy.
The bearing capacity requirement is translated into an allowable soil bearing pressure. However, a stability
analysis may be necessary, for example, where a structure is near a slope.
5.1.1 For estimating pile vertical capacities, both end bearing and skin friction resistance shall be
included; see Article 34 of Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice (Terzaghi, Karl and Peck, Ralph B., Soil
Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (New York, London, Syndey), 1967)
for example. For estimating horizontal resistance, the method described in NAVFAC DM-7 [Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Publications Transmittal Design Manual: Soil Mechanics, Foundations, and Earth
Structures (NAVFAC DM-7), US Naval Publications and Forms Center, Philadelphia, 1971], (Chapter 13,
Section 3) or other rigorous engineering methods may be applied. Numerous methods employing p-y curves
and computerized analysis are available. In severe earthquake zones, the number of piles may be governed
by earthquake lateral forces.
5.1.2 Allowable differential and total settlements depend on structure service and design. Differential
settlements between closely spaced structures may be critical. Criteria for allowable settlements shall be
established for each project and approved by Mobil. Estimates of settlement should be based on the
method given in the above noted Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice (Articles 25, 40, and 41) or another
standard engineering method. Settlements in all compressible strata shall be estimated for a minimum
downward distance equal to the foundation slab width. Maximum settlements and differential settlements
shall be calculated to assure conformance to the project allowable settlement criteria.
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
APRIL 1992 PAGE 3 OF 8 EGE 01-B-8 1992
5.1.3 Settlements that occur during construction should not be included when considering effects on
equipment erected after the settlement has already occurred.
5.2 Detailed Design Requirements
5.2.1 Design Loads
Minimum external loadings shall be as specified in EGE 00-B-3. Foundations shall be designed to resist
the effects of all loading combinations for which the supported structure or equipment is designed.
Structural design of concrete footings and pile caps shall conform to EGE 01-B-7.
Loads and reactions from piping shall be considered in the design of foundations, supports for equipment,
and other such structures. Foundations for elevated pipe supports shall be designed for a minimum of 20
percent future increase in pipe loadings.
Foundations supporting heat exchangers shall be designed for the pushing and pulling force specified in
EGE 00-B-3. The foundation at the fixed end shall be designed for 100 percent of the pushing and pulling
force, and the foundation at the sliding end shall be designed for at least 50 percent of the pushing and
pulling force.
5.2.2 Allowable Stresses
The allowable bearing, uplift (for piles), and lateral load capacities shall be as recommended by the
geotechnical report. When the report does not furnish this information, it shall be established based on the
soil properties and submitted to Mobil for approval.
The allowable stresses in foundation members and allowable pile structural loads may be increased by 33
1/3 percent for transient loads, such as maximum wind, earthquake, or pipeline surge forces, either alone
or in combination with long-term service loads. Allowable stresses in foundations may be increased no more
than 20 percent for short duration test loads, as defined in EGE 31-B-1. Allowable soil pressures may be
similarly increased for transient and short duration test loads, but only at the direction of the geotechnical
consultant. For tension piles, however, no increase in skin friction should be taken.
5.2.3 Safety Factors
Foundations shall be designed to have a minimum safety factor of 2.0 against overturning and 1.5 against
sliding for the following load combinations:
(a) Empty + maximum wind or earthquake.
(b) (0.9 x empty) + maximum wind or earthquake.
(c) Operating + maximum wind or earthquake.
However, for load combination (b), the factor of safety against overturning may be reduced to 1.5.
The greater of maximum wind or earthquake shall be used. In determining the factor of safety against
overturning and sliding, consideration shall be given to the effects of buoyancy forces and vertical and lateral
earth loads.
The safety factor against buoyancy shall be at least 1.1 against the highest anticipated water level. Where
economics dictate and the weights are well established, this factor may be reduced to 1.05. In determining
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
EGE 01-B-8 1992 PAGE 4 OF 8 APRIL 1992
the safety factor against buoyancy, allowance should be made for future removal of soil above the
foundation or of equipment from it, and for possible loss of skin friction from the sides.
Foundations for all stacks and vertical vessels shall be designed to have 100 percent of their area under
compression for all design loading combinations.
Unless otherwise stated in the soil report, compression piles shall be designed with a minimum safety factor
of 2 against the ultimate capacity for long-term operating loads. Tension piles shall similarly be designed
with a safety factor of 3 unless tension load capacity verification tests are made, in which case it may be
reduced to 2.
5.2.4 Pile Foundation Requirements
Pile spacing shall not be less than three diameters on centers, unless pile group effect is taken into account.
Complete pile-driving and load test logs shall be prepared, where applicable, and submitted to Mobil for
approval.
For piled foundations, continuous concrete pile cap or grade beams of sufficient thickness shall be provided
to adequately brace the piles laterally and avoid overstressing piles in bending.
To achieve an economical design, the use of batter piles shall be considered where large lateral loads apply,
or where lateral resistance of vertical piles is poor.
5.2.5 Other Requirements
Where possible, footings shall be on undisturbed soil. They shall be founded at a depth where they will not
be affected by frost or variations in soil moisture content. Where removal of unsuitable material necessitates
deeper excavations, backfilling shall be done with Type A fill as described in EGE 01-B-1. Concrete having
at least 14 MPA (2000 psi) minimum strength is acceptable as an alternative to Type A fill.
Footings shall not be located in an area shown by the subsurface investigation to be traversed by
underground water or seepage, unless these conditions are remediated, or close to underground high
pressure pipes.
Sulfate resisting cements are required for concrete piles in soils with high sulfate content.
Tops of foundations or pedestals shall be a minimum of 150 mm (6 in.) abovegrade and shall be higher if
required by flood conditions.
Brass benchmarks shall be embedded at strategic positions abovegrade, either in the concrete foundation
of major structures or on the structures. Their elevations shall be recorded to facilitate accurate post
construction checks of settlements.
5.3 Special Requirements for Machinery Foundations
5.3.1 General
Foundation design for major reciprocating or centrifugal machines shall be based on a dynamic analysis,
using the soil analysis of the site and the manufacturers data on the nature, magnitude, and frequency of
the exciting forces. Design and supporting calculations that fully document the response of the foundation
shall be reviewed by the machinery manufacturer and by Mobil. The methods described in Design of
Structures and Foundations for Vibrating Machines (Arya, Suresh C.; ONeill, Michael W.; and Pincus,
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
APRIL 1992 PAGE 5 OF 8 EGE 01-B-8 1992
George, Design of Structures and Foundations for Vibrating Machines, Gulf Publishing Company, Book
Division (Houston, London, Paris, Tokyo), 1979) or other industry acceptable method shall be used.
The ratio of foundation weight to rotating equipment weight should be not less than 5 to 1 for reciprocating
machinery and 3 to 1 for centrifugal machinery.
5.3.2 Amplitude and Frequency Requirements
The single amplitude of vibration of the foundation in any direction at any point in the foundation mat or
machine supporting block shall be such that it will fall below the "troublesome to persons" zone for the
specific exciting frequency, as given in Figure 1. Where second-order unbalanced forces are present, the
total amplitudes to be considered at the primary frequency shall be the sum of the primary and secondary
amplitudes. Where the equipment manufacturers recommended limits are more stringent, they shall apply.
Foundations should have a frequency ratio outside the range of 0.7 to 1.4 to minimize the dynamic
amplication factors and, hence, vibration amplitudes. Where second-order unbalanced forces or couples
are present, the same frequency ratio restriction should apply in the second order. Where it can be shown
that these frequency ratio restrictions would result in an uneconomical foundation, frequency ratios within
the above range will be accepted, provided the amplitudes meet the requirements of Paragraph 5.3.2 (first
paragraph). Within the frequency ratio range of 0.7 to 1.4, damping effects should be considered in the
analysis.
When piles are required, amplitudes shall meet the requirements of Paragraph 5.3.2 (first paragraph). Batter
piles shall be provided to resist the unbalanced horizontal forces, unless the design shows that these
requirements can be met using only vertical piles.
5.3.3 Machinery Combined Foundations
Several machines of similar type (centrifugal or reciprocating) may be mounted on a common rigid mat,
where technically feasible and only with Mobil approval. In such case, adjacent piping (especially for end
suction pumps) should also be supported from the mat to avoid high stresses in the piping.
Foundations for heavy machinery subjected to unbalanced dynamic forces shall be kept independent of
building floors and other equipment foundations, except as provided for in Paragraph 5.3.3 (first paragraph).
5.3.4 Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure
Where vibrations are calculated to be within or above the zone "Easily Noticeable to Persons" as shown in
Figure 1, allowable soil bearing pressures and pile capacities for static loads shall be reduced by half. In
loose sandy soils subject to vibrations, excessive settlements may occur despite low bearing pressures.
In such cases, it may be necessary to replace the upper layers with a cohesive mixture.
5.3.5 Minimum Reinforcement Requirements
All rotating or reciprocating machinery foundations subjected to unbalanced dynamic forces shall be
reinforced with at least nominal reinforcing to eliminate serious cracking. Such reinforcing shall be spaced
a maximum of 300 mm (12 in.) on centers, both vertically and horizontally, on all faces of the foundation mat
or machine supporting block. If the foundation is restrained from shrinkage movement for example, by
keying into rock or by casting against existing concrete a minimum of 0.6 percent steel is required to
distribute the shrinkage forces between the restraints. For an unrestrained foundation, the steel percentages
should conform to the recommendations of ACI Standard 318. The design shall take fatigue stresses into
account where applicable.
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
EGE 01-B-8 1992 PAGE 6 OF 8 APRIL 1992
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
APRIL 1992 PAGE 7 OF 8 EGE 01-B-8 1992
5.4 Grounding
Equipment grounding shall be in accordance with EGE 33-B-14.
6. ANCHOR BOLTS
6.1 Material
Anchor bolts shall conform to ASTM A307 or A36 for general services and to ASTM A193, Grade B7 for
large reciprocating machinery and other services in which vibration is anticipated. Choice shall be made
in consultation with the equipment manufacturer. Nuts shall be carbon steel, in accordance with ASTM
A563. Threads shall conform to ANSI B1.1 (UNC-2A). Where environmental conditions require corrosion
protection (galvanizing, painting, etc.) for anchor bolts and nuts, it shall be so specified in the project
specifications. For certain cases, the use of higher-alloy materials may be appropriate, if approved by Mobil.
Anchor bolts for machinery, engines, pumps, and compressors shall be in accordance with the equipment
manufacturers recommendations.
Anchor bolts subject to uplift or vibration shall be equipped with a washer and two nuts.
6.2 Allowable Stress
Anchor bolts shall be designed for a stress of 103 MPa (15,000 psi). For empty equipment, the allowable
stress may be increased to 124 MPa (18,000 psi). High-strength bolting may be used only with Mobil
approval. However, anchor bolts for structures shall not be less than 19 mm (3/4 in.) diameter.
6.3 Setting
All anchor bolts shall be set accurately. A template shall be used to ensure correct alignment and full
bearing of the nut on the baseplate. For small equipment and machines, use of a template may be waived
with Mobil approval.
Each bolt should have a sleeve, preferably of standard weight pipe. Sheet metal or PVC sleeves may be
used where they carry no load. Anchor bolt location tolerance provided by oversized bolt holes may be
employed subject to Mobil approval.
All anchor bolt sleeves shall be completely filled with a nonshrink grout after equipment is set, or filled before
equipment is set with an approved water repellent filler such as silicone. If the equipment supplier takes
exception for technical reasons and there is adequate moisture protection, the suppliers recommendation
shall take precedence. Care shall be taken to ensure the sleeves do not fill with water and subsequently
freeze during construction.
The baseplate hole diameter of all equipment accepting anchor bolts that are subjected to shear should not
be more than 3 mm (1/8 in.) larger than the anchor bolt diameter.
6.4 Extensions
It is not permissible to weld A193, Grade B7 bolts because of air hardening. Therefore, extending these bolts
should be achieved by mechanically coupling them, and only with Mobil approval.
To simplify setting large vertical vessels, anchor bolts can be an extended type with coupling.
MOBIL ENGINEERING GUIDE
EGE 01-B-8 1992 PAGE 8 OF 8 APRIL 1992
6.5 Concrete Cover
At least 75 mm (3 in.) of concrete cover shall be provided for all anchor bolts or sleeves. Anchor bolts shall
be located inside the reinforcement steel cage.