This article is about SAES-Q-007 which is about Foundations and Supporting Structures for Heavy Machinery and download SAES-Q-007 PDF for Engineers, supervisors and project managers, QCs, QC Supervisors. This is saudi aramco standards of Civil Engineering based on international codes and standards and useful for Civil Construction knowledge to get job as engineers, QC Supervisors and QC managers, Engineering managers and technicians.
SAES-Q-007 PDF Download
SAES-Q-007Foundations and Supporting Structures for Heavy Machinery
SAES-Q-007 is a standard that outlines the necessary requirements for designing foundations and support structures for heavy machinery. It specifically focuses on designs that are subjected to dynamic loadings caused by machinery vibrations. These foundations and support structures must also be capable of withstanding other types of loadings such as wind and piping forces, while ensuring that the stresses do not exceed the limits set by Saudi Aramco Standards.
Commentary Note 1.1: Reciprocating compressors greater than 150 kilowatts (200 brake horsepower) and special purpose equipment placed on table-tops require dynamic analysis for their foundations. If the analysis predicts resonance, the foundation’s mass should be increased, if possible, to prevent it. General purpose equipment foundations usually don’t require specific dynamic or vibration-related design, but it is recommended that they comply with Sections 6.1.2 & 7 of this standard and PIP REIE686/API RP 686, Chapter 4.
The main objectives of this standard are as follows:
a) Controlling vibration amplitudes to meet the limits specified in the applicable Saudi Aramco Standards.
b) Determining the natural frequencies of the machine-foundation system to ensure compliance with the separation margins specified in the relevant Saudi Aramco Rotating Equipment Standards for the given sources of excitation.
c) Providing sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain equipment alignment and prevent fatigue or overstress failures.
d) Ensuring adequate foundation bearing capacity and acceptable settlements.
Read Also:
SAES-Q-006 PDF Download – Asphalt and Sulfur Extended Asphalt Concrete Paving
SAES-Q-005 28 PDF Download – Concrete Foundations
SAES-Q-004 PDF Download – Installation of Piles and Conductors for Offshore Structures
SAES-Q-001 PDF Download – Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete Structures
Industry Codes and Standards for SAES-Q-007
Industry Codes and Standards for SAES-Q-007
The design of foundations and support structures for heavy machinery, as governed by SAES-Q-007, requires adherence to various industry codes and standards. These codes and standards ensure that the designs meet the necessary requirements for safety, performance, and reliability. Here are some of the notable codes and standards applicable to this field:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- ASME B 73.1: Specification for Horizontal End Suction Centrifugal Pumps for Chemical Process
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- ACI 207.2R: Effect of Restraint, Volume Change, and Reinforcement on Cracking of Massive Concrete
- ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary (ACI 318R) Errata
- ACI 504R: Guide for Sealing Joints in Concrete Structures
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
- API STD 610: Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Heavy Duty Chemical and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 611: General Purpose Steam Turbines for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 612: Special Purpose Steam Turbines for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 613: Special Purpose Gear Units for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 616: Gas Turbines for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Service Industries
- API STD 617: Centrifugal Compressors for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Service Industries
- API STD 618: Reciprocating Compressors for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 672: Packaged, Integrally Geared Centrifugal Air Compressors for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API STD 674: Positive Displacement Pumps – Reciprocating
- API STD 676: Positive Displacement Pumps – Rotary
- API STD 677: General Purpose Gear Units for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services
- API RP 686: Recommended Practice
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- ISO 2631-1: Mechanical Vibration and Shock Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration – Part 1: General Requirements
- ISO 2631-2: Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration – Part 2: Continuous and Shock-induced Vibration in Buildings (1 to 80 Hz)
- Process Industry Practices (PIP)
- PIP REIE686: Recommended Practice for Machinery Installation and Installation Design
- PIP STC01015: Structural Design Criteria
These industry codes and standards provide guidelines and specifications for designing foundations and support structures for heavy machinery. Adhering to these standards ensures that the designs are safe, reliable, and meet the necessary criteria for different types of equipment and loads.
Design Requirements
5.1 General
5.1.1 Designing Support Structures or Foundations for Centrifugal Rotating Machinery
When designing support structures or foundations for centrifugal rotating machinery with a horsepower greater than 500, it is mandatory to consider the expected dynamic forces using dynamic analysis procedures. In the absence of a detailed dynamic analysis for units less than 500 horsepower, the foundation weight should be at least three times the total machinery weight, unless otherwise specified by the Manufacturer.
5.1.2 Designing Foundations for Reciprocating Machinery
For reciprocating machinery with less than 200 horsepower, in the absence of a detailed dynamic analysis, the foundation weight should be at least five times the total machinery weight, unless otherwise specified by the Manufacturer.
5.1.3 Mounting Coupled Elements on a Common Foundation or Support Structure
To maintain equipment alignment and minimize relative deflections, all coupled elements of the machinery train, including the driver (e.g., diesel engine, gas turbine, electric motor), gear-box, and driven equipment (e.g., pump, compressor, generator), should be mounted on a common foundation or support structure. Auxiliary equipment such as lube oil or seal oil pumps and reservoirs may be installed separately.
5.1.4 Independence of Foundations for Heavy Machinery
Foundations for heavy machinery should be independent of adjacent foundations and buildings. Concrete slabs or paving adjacent to the foundation should have a minimum 12 mm isolation joint around the foundation, using an approved elastic joint filler with sealant on top.
5.1.5 Adequate Spacing between Foundations
The clear distance between adjacent foundations for heavy machinery should be large enough to avoid transmission of detrimental vibration amplitudes through the surrounding soil, or alternative protective measures should be implemented. The transmissibility of amplitudes should be limited to 20% between adjacent foundations, unless otherwise agreed by the Manager, Consulting Services Department.
5.1.6 Low-Tuned Machine Foundation Systems
Where practical and economical, the machine foundation system should be proportioned to be low-tuned. This means that the primary natural frequencies of the foundation system should be lower than the machine operating frequency. A low-tuned system can help reduce vibration amplitudes and ensure better performance.
5.1.7 High-Tuned Machine Foundation Systems
High-tuned machine foundation systems should only be used when a low-tuned system is not practical or economical. This is typically applicable to low-speed or variable-speed machinery, where designing a rigid foundation with high mass is not feasible. In such cases, a higher natural frequency in conjunction with a lower machine operating frequency can make high-tuned systems more economical.
5.1.8 Consideration of Support Structure Flexibility
For elevated machinery, such as a machine on a table top or a blower in a steel structure, the flexibility of the entire support structure must be considered in the dynamic analysis. Unlike a machine on a mass concrete foundation, where the foundation with the machine is usually considered as one mass point, elevated machinery requires accounting for the flexibility of the entire structure.
5.1.9 Foundation Design Requirements
The foundation design should be capable of resisting all applied dynamic and static loads specified by the machinery manufacturer, including thermal movement, dead and live loads, wind or seismic forces, installation or maintenance loads, and fatigue. For fatigue, the dynamic loads should be increased by a factor of 1.5.
5.1.10 Protection of Buried Cables and Pipes
The foundation design should ensure that buried cables, pipes, and other similar elements are not incorporated in the foundation and are protected from the influence of foundation stresses. If incorporation in the foundation cannot be avoided and they are essential to the operation of the machinery supported by the foundation, cables and pipes should be slee
ved for protection.
5.1.11 Independence of Miscellaneous Steel Structures and Machinery Loads
Where practicable, miscellaneous steel structures, such as operator platforms, should be independent of the main machinery carrying structure(s) to avoid operator discomfort caused by vibrations. Additionally, machinery loads should be supported directly by the foundations and not by access platforms.
5.1.12 Consideration of Human Response to Vibration
The designer should refer to the general guidance provided by ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-2 regarding human response to building vibration and weighting curves of frequency responses for equal annoyance of humans. These standards also provide methods for measuring and quantifying whole-body vibration concerning human health, comfort, the probability of vibration perception, and the incidence of motion sickness.
These design requirements outlined in SAES-Q-007 ensure that the foundations and support structures for heavy machinery meet the necessary criteria for safety, performance, and alignment. Adhering to these requirements helps minimize vibrations, optimize performance, and prevent unwanted stresses or vibrations in adjacent structures.
FAQs about SAES-Q-007 PDF
A: Dynamic analysis is essential for assessing the expected dynamic forces exerted by centrifugal rotating machinery. It helps determine the appropriate design parameters to ensure the structural integrity and stability of the support system under varying operational conditions.
A: For reciprocating machinery with less than 200 horsepower, the foundation weight should be at least five times the total machinery weight, in the absence of a detailed dynamic analysis. However, specifications from the machinery manufacturer may provide alternative weight ratios.
A: Mounting all coupled elements of the machinery train on a common foundation or support structure helps maintain alignment and minimize relative deflections. This ensures proper functioning, reduces stress on the components, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
A: No, foundations for heavy machinery should be independent of adjacent foundations and buildings to prevent the transmission of detrimental vibrations. A minimum 12 mm isolation joint should be maintained around the foundation to separate it from adjacent concrete slabs or paving.
A: The clear distance between adjacent foundations for heavy machinery should be large enough to avoid the transmission of detrimental vibration amplitudes through the soil. Alternatively, other protective measures can be implemented. The transmissibility of amplitudes should be limited to 20% unless otherwise agreed upon.
A: Low-tuned machine foundation systems, where the primary natural frequencies are lower than the machine operating frequency, help reduce vibration amplitudes and improve performance. High-tuned systems, on the other hand, are used when designing a rigid foundation with high mass is not practical or economical, typically for low-speed or variable-speed machinery.
A: For elevated machinery, the flexibility of the entire support structure must be considered in the dynamic analysis. Unlike a machine on a mass concrete foundation, the flexibility of the entire structure should be accounted for to ensure accurate assessments of vibrations and stresses.
A: The foundation design should be capable of resisting all applied dynamic and static loads specified by the machinery manufacturer, including thermal movement, dead and live loads, wind or seismic forces, installation or maintenance loads, and fatigue. Dynamic loads for fatigue should be increased by a factor of 1.5.
A: The foundation design should ensure that buried cables, pipes, and similar elements are not incorporated into the foundation and are protected from foundation stresses. If incorporation cannot be avoided and they are essential to machinery operation, cables and pipes should be sleeved for protection.
A: To prevent operator discomfort caused by vibrations, it is recommended that miscellaneous steel structures, such as operator platforms, be independent of the main machinery carrying structure. Additionally, machinery loads should be supported directly by the foundations and not by access platforms.
Pingback: SAES-Q-009 PDF Download - Concrete Retaining Walls
Pingback: SAES-Q-012 - Criteria for Design and Construction of Precast and Prestressed Concrete Structures