Motor BAse Plate

[KN25]

Does any one know how to design a base plate support or a skid however you wanna call it) for a compressor motor.
It has to be made out of structural steel. The motor is about 5000 pounds.
I have no idea how to do this. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[pmover]

not only is there a static load, but a dynamic load and any thermal effects & seismic factors need to be considered for the design of the structural support.

likely not the answer you seek, but I highly recommend considering hiring a structural professional for this task. simply because you furnish inadequate data for respondents to provide direction and your self-admitted lack of knowledge.

hope this helps.
-pmover

 

[BigInch]

Must be designed for lifting and handling, mostly meaning supporting the compressor weight from skid corners, and from any lift lugs, with a safety factor of at least 2 when lifting. Also design end bars and frame for winch loads when pulling onto a truck, or dragging along the ground at the site, for example. Vibration possibilities when supported at anchor bolt locations during operating case should be very limited. Contact area of skid main frame beams and major lateral bracing beams with the future foundation should be high. Anchor bolts, hole sizes and locations should be designed for short circuit torque loads x 2. Provide numerous anchor bolts all along skid bottom so positive contact with the cement or epoxy grout of the foundation can be assured throughout its life. Thermal effects normally don't have any effect on the skid as ambient temperature extremes are accomodated by normal hole-bolt clearances, but holes could be slotted, if a horizontal growth problem is suggested.

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone. - Pablo Picasso

 

[KN25]

Thank you for the reply guys. This surely is a design that needs some one with structural engineering experience, as i am not familiar with this at all.

 

[KN25]

From my experience, usually the Vendor provides the base plate with the equipment during purchase (as long as it was requested by the Client).

My question is: how do Vendors usually size and design base plates?
1- is there a standard that they reply on: API, ASME, AISC?
2- is there a software that they use?
3- are there tables that give the size of each steel component based on the weight and loads?

your help is appreciated.
thanks.

 

[BigInch]

Sometimes a client spec will give criteria for maximum vertical and torsional deflections and will require a FEM analysis for large machines, but most of the time, just AISC Steel Design criteria is used when designing the skid members and often turn out quite delicate when the skid design engineer is not experienced with field loads imposed during winching and lifting, as they place too much emphisis on designing to prevent failure, rather than limit deflections to acceptable levels.

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone. - Pablo Picasso