Grouting Of Small Pump Baseplates? Is It Worth It?

Abstract

For pump installation most experts recommend installing conventional metallic baseplates on concrete foundations and securing them to the foundation with a combination of anchor bolts and epoxy grout. Many papers have been written on the techniques required to obtain a good quality installation free of voids and properly bonded to the concrete and baseplate itself so as to give a long trouble-free installation life. There is no question that such installations provide a basis for highly reliable pumps that operate at low vibration levels. However, when this installation strategy is viewed in terms of the total cost of ownership for the pump, is it really cost effective? This paper examines the total cost of installation of small pumps using conventional metallic baseplates installed with epoxy grout and contrasts this installation strategy with several alternatives. Among these alternatives are polymer concrete baseplates, polymer concrete foundation systems, and pregrouted conventional metallic baseplates. Reliability and vibration data for each installation strategy presented and the impacts of relative reliability are examined in light of total cost of ownership.