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5 Stages of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
5 Stages of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
5 Stages of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
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There is a misconception that the machinery installation on board ships is all about lifting and mounting
on to the foundation and tightening the bolt and nuts. Just to clarify, it is not as simple as that.
A wrong machinery installation can lead to severe vibrations, which can significantly affect the vessel
performance. There are cases where machinery vibrations have caused severe structural damage. There
are also cases wherein shaft misalignment has resulted in catastrophic failures of equipment.
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In this article we will see five stages of Marine machinery installation as listed below:
1) Equipment lifting
2) Equipment positioning on to the Foundation
3) Equipment shaft alignment (in case of rotating machines)
4) Installation of pipelines
5) Commissioning
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7/6/2563 5 Stages Of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
1. EQUIPMENT LIFTING
The lifting equipment for machinery on ships which includes cranes, lifting gears, spreader beams,
shackles, and pad eyes should be of capacity at least 1.25 times the weight of the equipment lifting.
Below points also needs to be noted:
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Rotating equipment (of power greater than 150 KWs) should be dynamically analysed. The
equipment should be checked for vibration and ensure that the vibrations are within the limit. In
the case of resonance, remove the equipment from the foundation and replace the foundation with
a foundation of higher mass
During dynamic analysis, one should consider the overturning moment, sliding forces on the
equipment and ensure that there are sufficient anchoring points
Hold Down Bolts: Generally, the clearance between the foundation bolts and the bolt hole is 2 to 3
mm. In some cases, the foundation bolts are close fit bolts (the clearance is close to zero). Fit bolts prior
to installation are shrunk using dry ice or liquid nitrogen and then hammered to the foundation bolt hole.
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Undercut bolts and lock washers should be avoided in foundation bolting. Foundation bolts should be
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7/6/2563 5 Stages Of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
tightened to the torque recommended by the maker. In the case of a steam system, the equipment
foundation bolts should be re-torqued due to the thermal expansion upon commissioning
Bolting Theory
As the nut travels through the bolt, the point at which the component to be clamped resists the further
movement of the nut, develops a tension force on the bolt. The reaction force compresses the
components to be clamped, resulting in a clamping force.
Designer computes the required preload to clamp the two components. Preload is achieved by torquing.
Relationship between the preload and torque is,
T = K X Db X Fp
K- Nut factor
Db- bolt diameter
Fp- Preload
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7/6/2563 5 Stages Of Marine Machinery Installation On Ships
and then torques the bolt to 3000 N mm, it could overload the bolt and result in bolt failure.
Fp = T / (K x Db)
= 3000/ (0.1 (lubricated)) x 10)
= 3000 N.
Hence the preload has tripled, which may lead to failure of bolts (due to overloading).
SHIMMING: Shims can be used to fill the gap between the foundation and the equipment. If the gap is
beyond 12 mm, it is recommended to weld a doubler plate to level the base plate with the foundation. As
per API 886, Stainless steel shims are to be used for shimming.
Note: As per API 686, for the gap beyond 12 mm generally the foundation is required machining or use
chock fast to fill the gap.
CHOCK FAST: Chock fast is an epoxy material that is used to cast in-place. It is used to fill the gap
between the equipment and steel foundation.
(i) Calculating the dead weight loading: It is the stress imposed on the chocks due to the weight of the
equipment. Allowable dead weight loading is given by class
(ii) Minimum chock area: It is given by Allowable dead weight loading divided by total weight of the
equipment
(iii) Maximum allowable static stress: Chocks are generally designed for specific stress range
(iv) Total allowable bolt stress: It is given by Maximum allowable static stress subtracted by Maximum
deadweight loading
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(ii) Ensure that steel temperature is at least 13 degrees Celsius. If not, use heaters to increase the
temperature
(iii) Store the resin and hardener in the storage area of temperature between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
(iv) Chock fast should be poured only when the vessel is in floating condition
(v) Damming is an arrangement using foam to confine the chock fast to the intended area. It also helps
to restrict the height of the chock fast
(vi) Drill the bolt holes and plug the bolt hole
(vii) Add the hardener to the chock fast and mix using a power mixer
(viii) Pour the chock fast to the intended area and check for leaks
(ix) Add the hardener to the resin and mix using a power mixer
(x) Pour the resin mixture to the chock fast. Pour as high as possible.
(xi) Release the jack screw and wait for the chock fast to cure
(xii) Curing time for chock fast ranges from 18 hours to 48 hours based on the temperature
(xiii) Once the chock fast is cured, remove the damming arrangement and grind off the sharp edges
3. SHAFT ALIGNMENT
(i) Shaft alignment is a process where the axis of power transmitting elements is made collinear
(ii) Measurement: In shaft alignment two measurements are critical: i) Offset ii) Angularity
(iii) Offset: Offset is defined a vertical and horizontal distance between the two shafts rotating axis
(iv) Angularity: It’s the angle between the two rotating shafts. It is generally measured in terms of slope.
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(vi) Reverse dial indicator method: Reverse dial indicator method is recommended by API for shaft
alignment
In reverse dial indicator method, the dial indicator in the stationary and movable equipment is placed
opposing one another on opposite coupling halves. The couplings are rotated 360 degrees and readings
are taken at 0, 90, 180,270 degrees.
(vii) Laser Alignment: Laser alignment is used for critical rotating machines like Engine, turbines etc.
Precise measurement.
Results of misalignment can be obtained with just 90 degrees of rotation. Do not require to rotate
360 degrees
Data storage and report generation
Automated alignment correction results
(viii) During turning of the shaft ensure that bearings or gears are sufficiently lubricated.
4. PIPE INSTALLATION
Pipes are tubular sections which are used to convey liquids and gases to the desired location. Following
points to be taken note when installing a pipe to equipment:
(i) PIPE WELDING: As per class, oxy acetylene welding is not to be used for pipe welding for pipes whose
wall thickness is greater than 10 mm
(ii) GTAW and GMAW are to be used for copper nickel pipes welding
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(v) As per API 686, Pipe and equipment bolt holes should be within 1.5 mm offset. Bolts should be
inserted into the bolt hole at ease, without external force
(vi) Upon connecting the flange, flange gap should be measured using a feeler gauge. In the case of
raised face flange, the reading should be taken at the raised face.
(vii) While the pipe flange is connected to the equipment flange, measure the shaft deflection using dial
indicators to ensure pipes don’t impose stress on to the equipment
(viii) Eccentric reducers: Reducers placed in the suction line of a pump should be eccentric. This helps to
prevent air pockets in the suction line. Note: The flat side of the eccentric reducers should be on top as
shown in the below image
(ix) The pipe elbow in the suction line should be a long radius elbow
(x) Inlet piping should be of same or larger than the inlet nozzle
(xi) Isolation valve: Isolation valve should be provided in the inlet and outlet side of the equipment. In
certain cases, spectacle blinds are required in the inlet and outlet side to isolate the system
(xii) Strainers: Strainers should be located between the inlet isolation valve and equipment inlet
connection. When the large accumulation of foreign particles is expected, duplex strainers shall be used.
(xiii) Pipe supports: Machinery inlet and outlet piping shall be supported as near as possible to the
equipment. All the spring hanger turn buckle lock nut should be checked for tightness. Piping spring
hangers should be installed prior to the final shaft alignment. Verify there are no visible gaps between
the pipe support and piping. In the case of eccentric reducer in pipe rack, the flat side has to face bottom
for maximum contact.
PH = test pressure
P – design pressure
For working temperature above 300 degree Celsius,
PH = 1.5 X (s 100 / s) x p
The hydro test may not be required on board if 100% radiographic examination indicates
acceptable results.
5. COMMISSIONING: All pipe lines must be flushed and proved clean prior to commissioning. Strainers
to be opened and check for foreign particles prior to commissioning. Perform a function test, prior
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commissioning. As per class, all high-pressure pipelines flanges to have anti splashing tape.
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Over to you…
Do you know any other important points that can be added to this list.
Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine
Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have
not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be
accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not
constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.
The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the
permission of the author and Marine Insight.
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About Vignesh Balasubramaniyan
Vignesh Balasubramaniyan is an engineer currently working in one of the major
shipyards in Singapore. His key areas of interest include naval architecture, offshore
structures, marine engines, marine and offshore systems, business management and economics.
Apart from being a passionate engineer, he's also an ardent fan of sports, dance and music. He
also loves to write on politics, economics, romance, friendship, and adventure.
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