Comprehensive Rotating Equipment Foundation Solutions

Comprehensive Rotating
Equipment Foundation Solutions

Rotating and reciprocating equipment foundation systems are subjected to dynamic forces – which over time can lead to degradation – which may significantly impact the performance of the machinery they are designed to support.

Investigation

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES offers highly specialized assessment and engineering services for equipment foundation systems. These services are designed to complement and enhance machinery analysis. The objective of a comprehensive condition assessment is to identify the root cause of problems and the level of damage.

Products & Design Support

Our team helps to select the best materials and technologies including items such as concrete, grout and anchor bolts to improve the performance and longevity of the foundation system. Our solutions are comprehensive and address major considerations when working with dynamic machinery and their foundations.

Turnkey Solutions

When STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES teams with one of our repair and maintenance companies – we offer our turnkey Investigate-Design-Build (IDB) approach to provide a seamless process from initial design through installation with single-source responsibility. This approach is ideally suited for industrial and power clients looking to perform repair and maintenance during scheduled turnarounds and outages.

  • Gas/Steam Turbines
  • Turbo Pumps
  • Compressors
  • Fans
  • Motors
  • Centrifuges
  • Engines

Investigation, Testing & Analysis of Foundation Systems

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES offers a range of testing and deliverables to thoroughly assess and analyze the condition of a foundation system, aimed at identifying the root cause of deterioration. An initial assessment may include review of the foundation system design, equipment data and a visual observation with the equipment running. If a full condition assessment is required, STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES performs a series of advanced testing to determine the condition of the foundation system.

Foundation Vibration Analysis

Foundation Vibration Analysis
Designed to complement and enhance owners’ in-house machinery analysis, our engineers utilize the data acquired to perform free vibration, harmonic and steady state analysis to study the foundation behavior under load.

Finite Element Analysis

Finite Element Analysis
Vibration data is used in conjunction with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to model various repair solutions to predict future performance of the foundation system – to help select the best repair solution.

Non-Destructive Testing

Non-Destructive Testing
• Foundation Vibration Monitoring
• Load Cell (Anchor Bolt Testing)
• Acoustic Impact
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
• Impact Echo
• Ground Penetrating Radar
• Rebound Hammer

Semi-Destructive & Lab Testing

Semi-Destructive & Lab Testing
• Sample Extraction
• Borescope
• Soil Testing
• pH testing/carbonation depth
• Chloride ion content
• Compressive strength
• ASR testing

Reporting on Foundation Condition Assessment

If a full condition assessment is required, STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES performs a series of advanced testing to determine the condition of the foundation system. Following the field investigation, the client receives a comprehensive report that includes:

  • Investigation summary
  • Laboratory summary
  • Data analysis
  • Foundation behavior modeling (with vibration monitoring)
  • Root cause determination

By incorporating the capabilities of our contracting companies, our final report and client briefing can also provide repair alternatives and their associated order of magnitude repair investments.

Equipment Foundation Design & Engineering Support

Equipment Foundation Testing & Analysis:

• Foundation vibration monitoring
• Finite element analysis
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• Semi-Destructive Testing (SDT)

Common Solutions for Foundations:

• Foundation repair & modification
• Grout replacement
• Anchor bolt repair & replacement
• Chock replacement
• Sole plate grouting & replacement
• Strengthening & post-tensioning

Equipment Foundation Team Leader

Read more about our products and applications on our equipnt foundation solution builder page

Design-Assist & Engineered Product Support

• Investigation Support
• Solution Development
• Budget Development
• Specification Assistance
• Constructability Consulting
• Application Engineering
• Quality Control Programs
• Project-Specific Design-Assist

Engineered Solution Development

Whether repairing the foundation or modifying it for new equipment, designing a solution should incorporate the latest technologies for the unique operating conditions of rotating equipment. Selecting the best materials and technologies for items such as concrete, grout and anchor bolts can dramatically improve the performance and longevity of the foundation system. Our solutions are comprehensive and address major considerations when working with dynamic machinery and their foundations.

1) Design (Code)

Design (Code)
Our solutions address relevant codes and industry best practices such as:
•Foundation geometry
•Detailing reinforcement

2) Material Selection

Material Selection
•Grout
•Anchor bolts & leveling
•Concrete
•Crack repair materials
•Post-tensioning
•Baseplates & soleplates
•Protective coatings
•Soil stabilization

3) Means & Methods

Means & Methods
Our team develops installation-specific quality assurance and quality control programs to address key areas:
•Surface preparation
•Material preparation
•Reinforcing system details
•Formwork & placement techniques

Products for Equipment Foundations

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES offers advanced products and systems that can help solve challenges specific to rotating equipment foundations:

Tstrata Concrete Repair Materials™

Tstrata Concrete Repair Materials™
Specialized vibration resistant concrete used for foundation pads and blocks.

Post-Tensioning Systems

Post-Tensioning Systems
High strength prestressing cables that improve strength and maintain compression in concrete blocks and other foundation system components.

Threaded Bars

Threaded Bars
High strength bars that are used for anchoring mechanical components or to improve strength and maintain compression in concrete elements.

Precast Equipment Foundations

Precast Equipment Foundations
Polyshield® premanufactured pump foundation systems replace the baseplate, foundation, anchor bolts and grout pad. Made from polymer concrete, Polyshield® offers enhanced vibration and chemical resistance.