A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

OF A FOUNDATION FOR A
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR

_____________________________________

A Project Presented to the

Institute of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
University of the Philippines Diliman Campus

_____________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the Degree of
Master of Science in Civil Engineering

_____________________________________

John Michael Alura

Kenneth Enopeques
Ma. Louise Margaret Ramos

May 12, 2017

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ................... i

Table of Contents . ii
List of Tables iii
List of Figures . iii
1 The Topic and its Background .. 1
1.1 Introduction . 1
1.2 Statement of the Topic..... 1
2 Scope and Limitation 4
3 Methodology... 5
3.1 Objectives .....5
3.2 Methodology .. 5
3.3 Research Design . 6
3.4 Identification of Parameters ....2
3.5 Model of the Mass Concrete by FEM...6
3.6 Application of Static Load on the Model 6
3.7 Application of Dynamic Loads on the STAAD Model .... 18

4 Data Analysis and Results. 8

4.1 X ..... 9
4.2 XX ..10
4.3 XXX14
4.4 XXXX............................ 16
4.5 XXXXX...................... 25
5 Conclusion and Recommendations ...26
5.1 Conclusion .26
5.2 Recommendations . 26
Bibliography .27
Appendix A .28
Appendix B .49
Appendix C .69

LIST OF TABLES

2
Table Title Page

4.1 Post processing of the OLD Layout 9-10

4.2 Post processing of OLD Layout with removed center columns 10-13
4.3 Post processing of the NEW Layout 14-16

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title Page

1.1 Compressor 1
1.2 3
2.1 4
3.0 Design Methodology for the Study 5
3.1 7
3.2 8
4.1 13
4.2 23
4.3 24
4.4 24
4.5 25
5.1 26

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 CHAPTER 1

The Topic and its Background

1.1 Introduction

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) process consists of natural gas production,
purification and liquefaction, ship loading, transportation and subsequent off-loading,
storage, and regasification and, ultimately, injection into gas distribution grid or
power plant. Very large heavy centrifugal compressors are required in the design
process for petrochemical LNG plants, and power plant facilities. Multiple
compressor units such as methane, ethylene and propane compressors, converts
natural gas to LNG by cooling the liquid temperature to -270 degree Fahrenheit.
Heavy compressor vibrating machines may be supported by concrete table top
pedestal and, at most cases, by a foundation consisting of pedestal and footing.

1.2 Statement of the Topic

Figure 1.1 Compressor

A reciprocating equipment, compressor, is needed is to be installed in an LNG

plant. The vendor of the compressor has provided a loading data for the equipment
including its dynamic loads. The purpose of this paper is to perform finite element
analysis on the mass concrete foundation to assess its behavior under specified static
and dynamic loads.

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 CHAPTER 2

Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is on the finite element method (FEM) analysis of the
mass concrete supporting the compressor through the aid of STAAD.pro. The focus of
this study is going to be the procedure of analyzing the static and dynamic loads and
the behavior of the foundation to certain loads. Different load conditions for static
analysis such as dead load, static equipment load, friction load, wind load, earthquake
load and their application in the FEM analysis will be discussed in this paper. Stress
analysis for the STAAD.pro 3-D finite element static model is included in this study.
Dynamic analysis of the foundation including dynamic loads, modal and time history
analysis will also be presented in this paper.

As for the limitations of this study, ________.

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 CHAPTER 3

Methodology

3.1 Objectives

This study aims to do the following:

-to evaluate the effect of a compressor unit to the mass concrete
foundation supporting it; and
-to perform finite element analysis on the mass concrete foundation to
assess its behavior under specified static and dynamic loads.

3.2 Methodology

The procedures carried out in this study are shown in the following diagram.

Identification of Parameters
Model of the mass concrete by
Application
FEM of static loads
Stress
on the
analysis
model and member design of static a

Application of dynamic loads on the STAAD model

Modal Analysis Time history analysis

Figure 3.0 Design Methodology for the Study

3.3 Research Design

The researchers modeled the mass concrete foundation in STAAD.pro, a

software developed by Bentley Systems Inc. The static analysis of the foundation for
the compressor is carried out using the Solid Finite Element Analysis. Based on the
result of the analysis, flexural design was performed. Pile supports are modeled as
pinned supports in STAAD.pro. Support reactions are compared with pile allowable
bearing capacity.

The dynamic analysis of the foundation for the compressor was also carried
out using the Solid Finite Element Analysis of STAAD.pro. For analysis, STAAD.pro
consider modal analysis and time history analysis. Evaluation of the result for the
dynamic analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.

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3.4 Identification of Parameters

This step involves the identification of necessary information regarding the

compressor and its foundation that can be incorporated to the model. Such
information includes the size and geometry of the foundation and location of the load
points. Aside from the foundation dimensions, the design loads that the mass concrete
will carry are also to be determined. Design loads involve the dead loads, static
equipment loads, friction loads, wind loads, earthquake loads and dynamic loads.
Applicable codes and standards used for the loading are National Structural Code of
the Philippines (NSCP Vol. 1, 6th Edition, 2010) and American Concrete Institute
(ACI) 318-11.

3.4.1 Material Strength

Material Strength used are as follows:

Concrete
Characteristic Strength, fc 28 MPa

Reinforcement
Yield strength, fy 414 MPa

3.4.2 Pile Properties

Using 1000 Cast In-Situ Bored Piles in PSA Area

Table 3-1. Allowable Pile Bearing Capacity
Compression Tension Lateral Structural Bending
Load Condition Capacity* Capacity* Capacity* Moment Capacity*
(kN) (kN) (kN) Mmax (kN-m)
Long Term 2010 938 217.75 442.87
Short Term 3618 1206 288.1 588.93
*Capacity is reduced by 33% based on AASHTO due to reduced Pipe to Pile distance.

7
3.4.3 Outline of Foundation

8
9
 3.5 Model of the Mass Concrete by FEM

A typical solid block of 0.45m x 0.40m x 0.30m (LxWxH) or 0.45m x 0.40m x

0.35m was used for the mesh.

Load 41

0.45m

0.40m
0.30m

Figure 3.1 Typical solid block 0.35m

The total dimension of the footing was 16.65m x 7.65m x 1m.

0.35m

Y
X
1.00m
Z

16.65m
7.65m

Y
X
Figure 3.2 Finite Element Model of the foundation
Z Load 41

A total number of 4479 solids were used to create the Finite Element Model

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 Figure 3.3 Isometric View of the Model

3.6 Application of Static Loads on the model

Design Loads are applied at each load points (LP1~LP34) as show

on Figure 3.5. These design loads are placed at the tip of pyramidal
shaped solids that are made very rigid and weightless to ensure
subsequent loading effect on the foundation. Configuration of the loading
points are shown on the tables per load item.

Figure 3.4 Load Application

585

5858 5859 5860 5861 5862 5863 5864 5865 5866 5867 5868
585

5869 5870

58
5872 5873 5874 5875 5876 5877 5878 5879 5880 5881 5882

5883

11 5885 5886 58
 Figure 3.5 Load Points Location

3.6.1 Dead Load

3.6.2 Static Equipment Load

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13
3.6.3 Friction Load

3.6.4 Wind Load

Wind loads were determined in accordance with the requirements of

NSCP 2010. The wind load for the equipment shall be calculated based on
the following formula:

14
15
16
17
3.6.5 Earthquake Load

Eartquake loads were determined in accordance with the

requirements of National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP Vol.1, 6 th
Edition, 2010).

The earthquake loads for the supporting rigid foundation were

calculated by the following formula:

18
19
 Load 41

20
21
 Load 42

22
3.7 Application of Dynamic Loads on the STAAD Model

3.7.1 Material Information

3.7.2 Static Load

23
 Application of equipment static loads in the Finite Element Model
Analysis Static Loads are assumed to be applied at each Load Points as
specified in Table 3-14. STAAD.pro utilizes a very rigid weightless member
to support each elevated loading point, so as not to affect the modal
analysis of the foundation but still capable of distributing the load
appropriately on the element concerned. The member was modeled as a
pyramidal shapes solid.

Figure 3.6 Model of Load Location for Static Loads

3.7.3 Dynamic Loads

The point of application of all dynamic loads is on the center of

gravity of the motor and compressor as specified in the loading data.
Location of the point of application is shown on the table above.

Figure 3.7 Model of Load Location for Dynamic Loads

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 Figure 3.8 STAAD syntax for dynamic loads (Case 1 of section 3.7.5)

3.7.4 Criteria for Analysis

At any location, dynamic amplitude shall not exceed the maximum

allowable value as stated below:

5.00 m (0 to peak)
10.00 m (peak to peak)

All natural frequencies below 1.5 times the operating frequency

shall be calculated. The amplitudes of the natural frequencies between
0.35 and 1.5 times the operating frequency shall be within the allowable
values even assuming that due to differences between the actual
structure and the assumed model resonance does occur.

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3.7.5 Analysis Case

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 CHAPTER 4

Data Analysis and Results

4.1 Stress Analysis and Member Design of Static Analysis

Write-up write-up write-up.

4.2 Modal Analysis

Finite element model consisting of three-dimensional solid elements

(concrete) and of spring supports (pile) was used for the analysis. Static loads are
loaded at the tip of pyramidal shaped solid that are made very rigid and weightless to
ensure appropriate loading effect on the foundation. On the other hand, dynamic loads
are loaded at the apex of a pyramidal solid whose coordinates coincide exactly to the
geometric center of the crankshaft as the loading data stated. This dynamic load will
then be transferred to the supporting foundation by means of three dimensional solid
members made very rigid and weightless to prevent any influence in the analysis.

Summary of eigenvalue and modal mass participation are shown on the table
below.

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Figure 4.1 Mode Shape 1

Figure 4.2 Mode Shape 2

Figure 4.3 Mode Shape 3

28
Figure 4.4 Mode Shape 4

Figure 4.5 Mode Shape 5

Figure 4.6 Mode Shape 6

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4.3 Time History Analysis

Time history analysis is a step-by-step analysis of the dynamic response of a

structure to a specified loading that may vary with time. Time history gives the
response of a structure over time during and after the application of a load. Modes no.
1 to 6 were used for Time History Analysis for all cases.

Frequency response analysis were evaluated at a total of 12 nodes. These

nodes are located at the corners of pedestal, pile cap and near COG of Compressor
Unit. The nodes considered for evaluation are the following:

Node # 5339, 5373, 5691, 5733, 5838, 5853 (at corner nodes of pedestal)
3106, 3150, 4096, 4140 (at corner nodes of pile)
5599, 5606 (at nodes near COG)

4.3.1 Summary of Displacement Time History

Insert Tables Here and some discussions

4.3.2 Summary of Velocity Time History

Insert Tables Here and some discussions

4.4 Summary of Results

Write-ups.

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 CHAPTER 5

Conclusions and Recommendations

The researchers arrived at the following conclusions and recommendations

after the runs, calculations, and analyses were made.

5.1 Conclusion

Based from the data and results gathered by the researchers

5.2 Recommendations

Write-ups

Bibliography

Books:

Reddy J. (2006) An Introduction to the Finite Element Method Third

Edition.McGraw-Hill.

American Institute of Steel Construction. (2005) Steel Construction Manual.

Appendix

31