Abstract
The foundation of a rotating machine can contribute to the dynamics of the system, and therefore it becomes essential to include the foundation in the model to predict the correct response of the system. The primary objective of this research is to develop and implement a method to extract foundation properties without resorting to shaker or impedance hammer testing. The method developed in this research uses the rotor vibration data and requires knowledge of bearing coefficients. The results for the foundation stiffness, damping and mass are much higher than the values extracted from impedance hammer tests at the bearing interface. Sources of errors include application of the excitation forces, measurement errors, accuracy of bearing coefficients and modal interaction between the pedestals. The concept of using fiber optic sensors to measure bearing forces is studied. Calibration and dynamic testing of the FFPI sensors is conducted. Results from this testing are encouraging and are in acceptable range of predicted values.
Sampathkumar, Varadharajan (2002). Experimental determination of foundation properties without shaker tests. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2002 -THESIS -S26.