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Foundation Design Philosophy for Rotating Equipment
References has been taken from,
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 to the
center line of the shaft / rotor.
The center of mass of machine foundation (machine+foundation system) should coincide with the centroid of
the soil foundation or pile group resistance. Horizontal eccentricity should be limited to 5% of the
corresponding foundation dimension.
For a rigid mat, following criteria to be followed:
o Minimum thickness of the mat will be 600 mm or 1/5 th of least foundation dimensions or 1/10 th of
largest foundation dimensions, whichever is greater .
o Maximum thickness of the mat will be 1500 mm
o Minimum thickness of mat, t = 0.0012 x (ks x (a)
4
)
1/3
ft, ks = soil dynamic modulus of subgrade
reaction, lbs/in
3
, from soil report, a = maximum cantilever projection (inches), measured from face of
block (Refer: Foundation analysis and design by J E Bowles)
Step-5 : Requirement for dynamic analysis of foundations:
Dynamic analysis of concrete foundations are not required for all the foundations supporting rotating equipment. You
need to refer your project design criteria for the conditions for dynamic analysis. Following are the general criteria for not
performing any dynamic analysis of foundation supporting rotating equipment:
Dynamic analysis is not required if the weight of machine is less than 25kN.
Dynamic analysis is not required if the power rating of motor is less than 200hp.
If you are not doing any dynamic analysis of concrete block foundation, then follow Step-4 for foundation sizing and put it
into 3D model for any interference check.
If you are doing the dynamic analysis of concrete block, then follow the following steps.
Step-6 : Calculation of un-balanced forces for dynamic analysis of foundations:
If unbalance force is not mentioned in the Vendor equipment drawing, then you will calculate the force as follows:
Un-balance force for pump: Fpump = mp-rotor x e x w
2
Un-balance force for motor: Fmotor = mm-rotor x e x w
2
Where, mp-rotor = weight of pump rotor, mm-rotor = weight of motor rotor
w = circular frequency = 2 x pi x (f / 60), f = speed of machine from vendor drawing (RPM).
e = rotor eccentricity, depends on machine speed
Eccentricity Table ( Refer reference -1)
Machine Operating Speed (f in RPM) Eccentricity e (mils)
Pump / compressor f < 3000 (1.8-10
7
) / (f)
2
Pump / compressor f > 3000 (12000/f)
1/2
Motor f < 1500 1.5
Motor 1500< f < 3000 1
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:

1. Sliding Frequency along horizontal X-direction
2. Sliding Frequency along horizontal Y-direction
3. Sliding Frequency along vertical Z-direction
4. Rocking Frequency about X, rotational mode
5. Rocking Frequency about Y, rotational mode
6. Rocking Frequency about Z, rotational mode
When the CG of foundation system is far above the foundation base, coupling effect needs to be considered to calculate
the foundation natural frequency. In this case sliding mode and rocking mode frequencies overlap each other and as a
result foundation dynamic analysis may be more critical. You can calculate the coupled natural frequency using the
formula mentioned in the table.
Coupled condition: 1. Sliding along X & Rocking about-Y and 2. Sliding along Y & Rocking about X
Once, analysis is completed, please check the foundation for the following conditions:
Resonance Frequency Check:
Calculate resonanace frequency and check that the ratio of machine frequency vs resonance frequency (f / fd) is either
less than 0.8 or greater than 1.2 in all six degrees of freedom.
Resonance frequency can be calculated as follows: fd = fn / (1-2 x D
2
)

where, fn = foundation natural frequency, D = Damping ration (see table 5 and 12)
Soil Bearing Pressure / Pile Capacity Check
Soil bearing pressure or pile load should not exceed 75% of the allowable. Please avoid any foundation upliftment in
seismic / wind condition.
Maximum Velocity check:
Maximum velocity should fall in "Good Condition" per table-1 of attached table
Environmental condition
Maximum displacement amplitude of vibration at foundation level should lie within or below "Zone-B" of figure -1 and it
should fall below the Zone "Troublesome to persons" of figure -2 in the attached table.
Reinforcement:
Reinforcement shall be provided per project approved design code. However, you can use minimum reinforcement as
follows:
0.2% rebar on all face of concrete block and mat.
1% rebar for all concrete pedestal.
Rebar spacing should not be more than 300 mm.
Anchor Bolt:
Anchor bolt shall be checked for start-up and coast down contion.
For a typical pump foundation drawing click here
I hope this page will be very helpful to you to understand the basic design of a Pump foundation.