A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

OF A FOUNDATION FOR A
RECIPROCATING
COMPRESSOR

Presented by:
Alura, John Michael
Enopeques, Kenneth
Ramos, Ma. Louise Margaret
INTRODUCTION

The LNG process consists of natural gas

production, purification and liquefaction,
ship loading, transportation and subsequent
off loading, storage, and regasification and,
ultimately, injection into gas distribution grid
or power plant.
INTRODUCTION

Very large heavy centrifugal compressors are

required in the design process for petrochemical
liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, and power plant
facilities.

In a LNG plant, it requires multiple compressor

units that contain methane, ethylene and propane
compressors for converting natural gas to LNG by
cooling the liquid temperature to - 270 OF.

The heavy compressor vibrating machines are

supported on concrete table top pedestal that consists of
concrete slabs, beams, columns and mat foundation.
OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of a compressor unit to the mass concrete

foundation supporting it.

To perform finite element analysis on the mass concrete

foundation to asses its behaviour under specified static and
dynamic loads.
METHODOLOGY

The analysis was carried out using the Solid Finite Element
Analysis of STAAD Pro.
METHODOLOGY

Stress analysis
Model of the Application of
Identification of and member
mass concrete by static loads on the
Parameters design of static
FEM model
analysis

Application of
dynamic loads on Time history
Modal Analysis
the STAAD analysis
model
METHODOLOGY
IDENTIFICATION OF PARAMETERS

Throughout the design of the foundation, the following codes and standards
are used:

(1)National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP Vol.1 6th Edition 2010)
(2)American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318-11
METHODOLOGY
IDENTIFICATION OF PARAMETERS

CONCRETE
Characteristic Strength, fc 28 MPa
REINFORCEMENT
Yield Strength, fy 414 MPa
METHODOLOGY
IDENTIFICATION OF PARAMETERS

The allowable bearing capacities of Bored Piles that will be used in the design of the
foundation are presented below.
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM

A typical solid block0.45m

of 0.45m x 0.40m x
0.30m (LxWxH) or 0.45m x 0.40m x 0.35m
was used for the mesh.
0.40m
0.30m

0.35m
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
MODEL OF THE MASS CONCRETE BY FEM
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS

Dead Load

RC Foundation Self weight STAAD generated

Soil Weight Calculated using unit weight of
soil
Static Equipment Load Provided by vendor
Friction Load F = 0.30 * Equipment Load
Wind Load NSCP 2010
Earthquake Load NSCP 2010
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS
16500
N

13000 1200 2300

Origin (0,0)

2400

3300
7650

3500

1850
2500
1750

+Vx
Xi

+Vz
+Mx

+Mz
9550 3450 2200 1300

Zi
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS

N
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS

Loads due to Soil

Weight
METHODOLOGY
STATIC LOADS

Statics Equipment
Loads
METHODOLOGY
DYNAMIC LOADS

Dynamic Force Location from origin *

Rotor Weight Speed
Equipment
Item
No. FLD x y z

(kg) (RPM) (kg) (m) (m) (m)

Compressor

K-561 Male Rotor 666 3550 189.50 6.911 4.114 4.450

Female Rotor 560 2367 106.20 6.810 4.114 4.770
Motor 621 3550 176.70 9.472 4.304 4.414
METHODOLOGY
DYNAMIC LOADS

Point of application of all dynamic loads is on the center of gravity

of the motor and compressor.
METHODOLOGY
DYNAMIC LOADS
N
58

5858 5859 5860 5861 5862 5863 5864 5865 5866 5867 5868
58

5869 5870

5
5872 5873 5874 5875 5876 5877 5878 5879 5880 5881 5882

Load points are arbitrarily set at each location of Anchor5883Bolts, as

indicated in the Loading Data. 5885 5886 5
 Dynamic
Location from origin *
Rotor Force
Speed
Equipmen Weight
Item FLD x y z

METHODOLOGY
t No.
(kg) (RPM) (kg) (m) (m) (m)
Compressor
Male Rotor 666 3550 189.50 6.911 4.114 4.450
DYNAMIC LOADS K-561 Female
Rotor
560 2367 106.20 6.810 4.114 4.770
Motor 621 3550 176.70 9.472 4.304 4.414
 METHODOLOGY
LOADING

Y
X
 METHODOLOGY
LOADING

Y
X
Z Load 1 (SELF X,Y)
 METHODOLOGY
LOADING

Y
X
Z Load 1 (SELF X,Y)