Need help with a flywheel engine foundation.

[rtqii]

http://rich-misty.info/Rich/lab/DSCN0046.jpg

This is a two cylinder, 20 HP, vertical diesel flywheel engine for a physics lab power supply. It is a modified clone based on the venerable Lister design.

I am much more an electrical engineer than a geotechnical engineer and I sure could use some guidance in designing the correct vibration absorbing/damping mat-block size and shape to correctly install this power supply. It will be coupled to an oversized gen head, and I need to think about a mounting system for that as well.

Can anybody here be of any help?

 

[rtqii]

I have additional information:

Engine mass: 490 kg = 1080.265 lb
Engine speed: 1000 rpm

and I can also locate the masses of the pistons, rods, crank and flywheels individually if needed. This engine was shipped with four, two-foot long, "J" bolts to be wired into the rebar and cast into the mounting block. Since this is a permanent installation I am wondering about upgrading my bolts, or changing the bolt type in order to make a replacement/repair possible.

 

[Riggly]

rtqii,
I would advise you to contact a local geotech, and the manufacturer.

Anyway, 1000lb equipment is a light load when we are talking about bearing pressure on the foundation. I suspect the biggest concern will be vibration and settlement. What kind of tolerance, in terms of allowable settlement are we looking at? Granular soils will be sensitive to vibration. If this will be set of granular foundation, the granular material should be confined under the slab to prevent them form moving out from under the slab. A heavy slab will help in the damping- adding mass. Is the building in the photo is where the generator will be installed? If that's a slab-on-grade, you might also want to place an isolation joint in the foundation for the equipment by cutting out a section of the floor and place a flexible filler material in the joint. Furthermore, you might have to thicken to floor under the equipment to increase mass, as stated above, to reduce vibration.