Foundations for Dynamic Equipment

Description

Heavy machinery with reciprocating, impacting, or rotating masses requires a support system that can resist dynamic forces and the resulting vibrations. When excessive, such vibrations may be detrimental to the machinery, its support system, and any operating personnel subjected to them .Many engineers with varying backgrounds are engaged in the analysis, design, construction, maintenance, and repair of machine foundations. Therefore, it is important that the owner/operator, geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, and equipment supplier collaborate during the design process. Each of these participants has inputs and concerns that are important and should be effectively communicated with each other, especially considering that machine foundation design procedures and criteria are not covered in building codes and national standards.

Some firms and individuals have developed their own standards and specifications as a result of research and development activities, field studies, or many years of successful engineering or construction practices. Unfortunately, most of these standards are not available to many practitioners. As an engineering aid to those persons engaged in the design of foundations for machinery, the committee developed this document, which presents many current practices for dynamic equipment foundation engineering and construction.

The committee presents various design criteria and methods and procedures of analysis, design, and construction currently applied to dynamic equipment foundations by industry practitioners. This document provides general guidance with reference materials, rather than specifying requirements for adequate design.