Vibration

of
Concrete
Foundations

We have to study:
Dynamic Behaviour Of

Machinery Foundations
If there is a problem

Our Friend the Civil Engineer

Confounds the Confusion

As if the Mech Vs Electrical

Problem is not enough

Machinery

Foundation

is not just a
Chunk Of Concrete

Seek Expert Civil

Engineers with
Expertise in Dyn M/c
Foundation to do the
Design

Same Mass of Concrete

But different areas in contact
With the soil.
Will Fn be different ?

R
W

For Vertical Mode of Vib

No

fn to be in Resonance Zone
fn5

CPM

1414
margin 40%

1000
707

margin 40%

fn4
fn3
fn2
fn1

Avoid this
RESONANCE
zone

Instead of Hit-and-Miss methods :

This is why Vib study is important

If Cu is so Important
What Variation in Cu
Can occur in Design?
When I was visiting BHEL (R&D)
Hyderabad the max variation in Cu
within 40 m was
Observed to be 250%

Worst Case
Variation in Cu, 250% at dist 40m (Hyd)

Vari. in Fn = 2,5 = 1.58

or 58%

Enough for calculations to go haywire

Variation in Cu < 15% Good

Excess variations can
throw out of gear
The meticulous design work
done earlier

Be serious when data for

Foundation design are sought.
Sometimes the Engineers at the last minute
make up soil data and Submit
Then that also can lead to Foundation
Vibration later on during commissioning

Still if high Vib. of Foundations

occurs in 10% cases,
Why, How, What to do?

Methods for decreasing

Vibrations
of existing Foundations:
a) Counter balancing of exciting loads
b) Chemical Stabilization of Soils
c) Structural measures
d) Use of Vibration Dampers
e) Use of Vibration (Spring) Absorbers

STRUCTURAL MEASURES
Costliest Measure
Longest Downtime
Used when other methods not feasible

fn5
CPM

1414

fn4

1000
707

fn3
fn2
fn1

Avoid this
RESONANCE
zone

Indian Std Thumb Rule

Deductions (seen already)

1. Min. Vib. Obtained, if N > fn (but
unnecessary & uneconomical
if done for all m/cs)
2. Near w / wn = 1 damping, REDUCES Vib
3. But over damping doesnt HELP
Follow the above golden rules to minimize trials

If Machinery Foundations problems

Persist :

Then an thorough Analysis and tackling a

few points as above can lead to solution in
90% cases
thus minimizing / avoiding costly Repairs

For very serious

Foundation Vibration
Problems can contact IITs, IISc
Structural Research Institutes
(or the several Retired Experts from
Nava Ratnas like BHEL, ISRO, etc)

There is help available

some where in this world
We have managed in the
Old world without Internet etc
It should be easier still Today
Best Wishes for Trouble free M/cs

Thank You

The End