UBC verification for Pump

[rob80eng]

Hi everyone, I work in a pump company in Italy.
A client now ask for a verification of a pump assembly ( motor + pump+ baseplate) as per UBC zone 1.
I don't know how to deal with it.
wich are the rules for the verification, if there si a classment of implants that prevent from a whole verifiaction fo the pump that for us is very onerous, mainly bacuase we don't have theinstruments ( ansys etc..)
Any advice on where to look in the UBC? or how to go on with the verification?

thank you very much.
Bye
Roberto

 

[baw1]

If they are talking about UBC, its likely in California or some other western state that still uses UBC. Most states have moved to IBC (International Building Code). Zone 1 means seismic code zone 1. Most(really probably all) pumps are so robust in design that seismic forces are never an issue for the pump itself, especially zone 1, a lower seismic zone. However, the design of the supporting structure for the pump may have a design issue, so you would need to generate the forces to give to someone else for design of seismic forces. However if you don't know where the pump is mounted you can't really know the actual design seismic forces to use. There is a diffence between free field and at the top of a bulding.
One option would be to calculate them for 1G and tell them to scale the forces appropiately for the support conditons they have.

 

[VibFrank]

I think, they want a stability analysis from you.
UBC (you have to buy the book) you need to get the earthquake acceleration with which to calculate the forces on the foundation. Depending on the pump type, you make a static or dynamic calculation. Normaly for the static one, there is a chapter for parts, that are not an essential part of the building (sorry, I do not have the code with me..). There is a formula with which you calculate the acceleration. It depends on seismic data (like the zone) and the height in the building, where the pump is mounted.