Isolation Theory

The isolation of machinery to prevent the transmission of vibration and noise has become one of
the important phases of modern building engineering. Light weight construction and locating
mechanical equipment on upper floors, adjacent to quiet areas, increases the requirement for
vibration control. The use of isolation is primarily for reducing the effect of the dynamic forces
generated by moving parts in a machine into the surrounding structure.

Isolation Theory
Every machine by its very function of operation creates a vibration or shock of varying intensity or amplitude.
The requirements for isolating this vibration depend upon the local conditions of installation. Three principle
factors control the selection of an isolator for a particular machine. The first is the weight to be supported, the
second is the disturbing frequency of the machine and the third is the rigidity of the structure supporting the
machine.
Vibration is a force and establishing an opposed force can effectively reduce its transmission. This is
accomplished by incorporating a truly resilient material, which when subjected to a static load, deflects and
by so doing establishes the natural frequency of the isolation system. When the natural frequency of the
isolation system is lower than the operating or disturbing frequency of the supported machine, each cycle of
vibratory force finds the resilient material in the returning phase of its cycle. The effectiveness of the isolation
then, is a function of the distance of return travel remaining at the time of impact.
This is best explained by visualizing each cycle as an individual blow. This blow drives the isolator into
dynamic deflection. When the force of the blow is spent, the isolator starts its return at its own frequency.
Since the frequency is slower than that of the blows, it is obvious the return will be only partial before next
impact. Because the isolator possessed the energy with which to complete its return to equilibrium, the
unaccomplished portion of travel represents the amount of opposed energy that will absorb the next impact.
Therefore, the greater the ratio of disturbing to natural frequency the more efficient the isolation, subject to
diminishing returns. It is evident any truly resilient material capable of the required static deflection,
operating within its elastic limits will produce the required results. The essential factor of an isolator is it must
be truly resilient. It must have the ability to return to its original height when loads or forces are removed.
Such a material, when loaded within its elastic limits, will have a long effective life.
In the case where vibrations are present due to a constant steady-state oscillation of imbalance in a machine
a precise formula may be applied with reasonable certainty of attaining desired results. In substance, this
formula is based on the ration of the operating frequency of the machine or other equipment to be isolated,
to the natural frequency of the isolated system. The disturbing frequency f d of a machine can be readily
determined either by measurement or by the known operating characteristics of the equipment. Generally
the lowest R.P.M. in the system is used as the disturbing frequency.
The natural frequency f n of a machine set on resilient material is a function of the static deflection of the
resilient material under the imposed load. For practical purposes the natural frequency f n is described by the
formula:

fn = 187.8
d

where d = static deflection in inches.

Isolation Theory

The ratio ( f d/f n ) establishes the efficiency of the isolation from the following formula:

E 100.1 _

fn

_1

E = percentage of vibration isolated.

f d = Disturbing frequency of the isolated machine.
f n =Natural frequency of the isolated machine.

3.00
ISOLATION
EFFICIENCY

99

98

ITI

TIC
AL
IO
AT

IC

PL

AP

NS

NS

NC

0.40

RI

IO
AT

NA

0.50

IO
AT
LIC

IC

SO

0.60

PP

PL

RE

AP

0.80

LA

AL

CA

RM

1.00

YC
EL

EM

TR

EX
CR

NO

1.25

0.30

97

95

90

2.00
1.75
1.50

80

2.50

60

AMPLIFICAITON ZONE
DO NOT USE

3000

2500

2000

1600

1200

1000

800

600

500

400

300

250

0.25
200

ISOLATION STATIC DEFLECTION (inches)

The percentage of isolation efficiency attained as a measure of the amount of reduction in the ampliture of
the transmitted mechanical vibration. Refer to figure 'A' to readily select the static deflection required to attain
a desired isolation efficiency.

DISTURBING FREQUENCY (cycles per minute)

To determine the percent of isolation efficiency from figure 'A', read from the graph at the intersection of
vibration (disturbing) frequency and static deflection.
Shock Isolation
Shock can be described as a motion in which the velocity changes very suddenly causing a single or multiple
impacts into the ground or surrounding structure. Consequently, the theory of isolation outlined above is not
applicable as the forcing (disturbing) frequency is usually low (less than 100 cpm). However, best results are
obtained with isolators providing low natural frequencies. The design and selection of an isolation system for
impact machines such as drop hammers and punch presses, must take into account that the energy of each
blow is dissipated before the next impact occurs. When necessary, use of inertia mass and damping devices
may be employed to attain desired stability.

Isolation Theory

Noise
An additional benefit of machinery isolation is the associated noise reduction. Introduction of a resilient
medium between the equipment and the structure acts to break the path of structural borne noise. This
results in noise reduction in areas outside the machinery room and to limited extent, in the area around the
machine. This is achieved by reducing the sounding board effect normally associated with machinery
mounted solidly to the structure. Use of isolation does not reduce air-borne noise if found to be above
allowable levels. Air-borne noise must be treated acoustically with acoustic enclosures or other sound
absorbing devices.
Location
In evaluating and selecting an effective isolation system, consideration must be given to identifying critical
areas. In buildings where equipment is located directly over or adjacent to quiet areas, offices, libraries,
studios, operating rooms, etc., a very critical condition exists, requiring extremely high isolation efficiency.
Basement locations and areas with high ambient noise such as factories, warehouses, power plants, etc., are
considered less critical and can tolerate larger transmitted forces. In addition, the geographic location of the
building is also important. If located in a designated earthquake zone, the potential seismic forces produced
will dictate the incorporation of restraints to protect the resilient isolated equipment.
Materials
After the desired static deflection has been established the isolating medium is selected. Steel springs and
elastomers are generally accepted material that meets the requirements of resiliency for isolation.
Elastomers describe natural rubber and the various synthetic materials such as neoprene. It possesses
inherent damping and sound deadening characteristics and can be molded into any shape or hardness and
vulcanized to metal. The term rubber-in-shear is used to describe the deflection in shear rather than
compression. Elastomers limit static deflection to a maximum of 1/2 inch and can be incorporated to provide
damping in spring isolators.
Metal springs become preferable when the required static deflection exceeds 1/2 inch. they can be
designed to provide large static deflection and depending on the application are available either free
standing, housed or vertically restrained. Free standing springs are usually unrestrained devices which must
be laterally stable meeting a minimum of 0.8 ration of spring diameter to compressed height. Housed
springs are used to counteract the effect of lateral forces, while vertically restrained springs are used for
equipment whose weight varies with the addition or removal of large amounts of water and for rooftop
equipment subject to wind loads. Since steel springs will transmit noise, introducing an elastomer pad to
break the direct structural borne noise path is necessary.

Vibration Isolation
Terminology
Vibration Isolation
Definition of Terms
Amplitude

The magnitude of the displacement from mean position of a deflection caused by

vibration.

Interference frequency

Hz

Typically the rotational frequency of a machine

Frequency

fg

Hz

The number of vibrations in a freely oscillating system per unit of time (/second for
Hz)
f0 = 1/2? (Kdyn/m)

Mass

Kg

The mass of the oscillating system

Spring force

The force exerted on or from a spring (or AV mounting)

Deflection

The deformation of a spring (AV Mount) from neutral position

Static spring stiffness

Kstat

N/m

The force in Newtons to compress the spring or mounting by 1m

Dynamic spring stiffness

Kdyn

N/m

Spring stiffness when an alternating force is applied

Tuning ratio

The ratio between Interference frequency (f) and natural frequency (f0)

Interference force

Fs

The force transmitted to the base of an isolated machine

Impulse force

Fi

The force transmitted to the base of a rigidly mounted machine

Level of isolation

That part of the impulse force which is eliminated by the vibration isolation

Damping Coefficient

Ns/m The linear viscous damping coefficient

Ns/m The linear viscous damping at critical damping. i.e. no over oscillation after
displacement

Critical damping

Ccr

Damping factor

Reduction

dB

Isolation expressed in decibels R=20log(1/B)

Deflection

stat

Mm

The static deflection for a spring = F/ Kstat

The ration between c and ccr

Y
Due to policy of continual improvement, the specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Measurements are subject to 5% tolerance.
Y
To achieve good sound suppression do not over load fitting.
Y