The Design Of Support Structures For Elevated Centrifugal Machinery

Abstract

This paper briefly discusses the computer aided analysis and design of elevated turbomachinery support structures. The paper is focused upon structural behavior and is presented from the civil engineer's viewpoint. The major topics are the steps associated with a typical structural design. The history of elevated turbomachinery support structure designs based on past experiences is also presented. Justifications to perform a rigorous computer aided analysis are given along with a succinct summary of the mathematical theory that enables the engineer to solve the large complex problem that represents the elevated turbomachinery support structure. Attributes of the computer aided technique arc explained by presenting excerpts from typical example problems. Included in the presentation are superstructure and foundation drawings, dynamic load derivation or acquisition, mathematical modeling techniques, kinematic condensation, a sampling of computer output, and means of interpreting the computer results. This sampling includes computer output and graphical representation of mode shapes accomplished by computer techniques. Finally, this paper offers the civil engineer's view of possible improvements of cooperation between structural designers and manufacturers to better achieve the sound structural behavior of elevated turbomachinery support structures.