ASHRAE 2006 Winter Meeting, Chicago Seminar 11

A SHOT OF ISOLATION TO PREVENT AN OUTBREAK OF VIBRATION

Presented By: Robert Simmons, PE

AMBER/BOOTH COMPANY

Vibration interferes with precision equipment

COOLING TOWER

STRUCTURE BORNE VIBRATION INDUCED BY MACHINERY

OBJECTIONABLE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED THROUGH STRUCTURE

Components of Vibration Transmission

SOURCE

Machinery Generating Vibration F Cooling Towers, Motors, Fans, Pumps, AHU, Water flow, etc.... F Piping F Large and small

PATH

Medium Through Which Vibration is Transmitted F Most bldg. components (floors, beams, columns, walls, etc) F Pipe F Resonant conditions can amplify the vibration F An isolation system must be used to block the path

RECEIVER

The Occupant F Building owners and tenants demand for comfortable work space. Quality of workplace affects worker production F Quality of classroom affects student learning F High - tech equipment in hospitals or micro-electronic

Source Vs. Receiver

Mechanical Source Rotating equipment creates vibration from 0.08 to 0.2 in./sec

High tech. receiver can only tolerate 0.00013 to 0.006 in./sec

VIBRATION SOURCE IS 10 TO 1000 TIMES ACCEPTABLE LEVELS

A VIBRATION ISOLATION SYSTEM CUTS OFF THE TRANSMISSION PATH AND PREVENTS VIBRATION PROBLEMS

SPRING ISOLATION FOR PIPE SPRING ISOLATION BASE

COOLING TOWER

NO STRUCTURE BORNE VIBRATION

NO OBJECTIONABLE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED THROUGH STRUCTURE

ISOLATED CONCRETE INERTIA BASE

A PENNY OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE

KEYS TO PRESCRIBING AN EFFECTIVE ISOLATION SYSTEM

F

F F

DETERMINE HOW MUCH ISOLATION IS REQUIRED How much static deflection is required to eliminate source vibration Greater deflection = Greater Isolation ISOLATOR TYPE Spring, Elastomeric, Air spring LOCATION & SUBSTRUCTURE Slab on grade, Non-sensitive area Upper level (10-30span), Sensitive area Critical area (30-40span), Lightweight / Flexible construction SUPPORT METHOD Floor mount, Hanging Point load, Base, Rail, Concrete Inertia Block Wind and Seismic Restraint

1st Determine the vibration frequency

Mechanical Source RPM

1 CYCLE

Frequency(fd) = RPM/60 = cycles/sec (cps) = Hertz (Hz)

2nd Determine the isolator natural frequency

Isolator Natural Frequency

More deflection gives lower natural frequency

Prescribe a low isolator natural frequency to rid the equipment vibration

Vibration Transmissibility Curve

FT = Transmissibility - The fraction of vibration that transmits through isolators to structure FResonance = The range of fd/fn where vibration is amplified

FT = 1/[1- (fd/fn)2 ]
Lower natural frequency giveslower transmissibility

Transmissibility Quick Reference Chart

Isolators Types

How much isolation can be expected for each type?

TABLE 1- TYPICAL TRANSMISSIBILITIES FOR DIFFERENT ISOLATORS
NATURAL STATIC DEFLECION FREQUENCY (IN) (CPM) (1) 350 2.5 STEEL SPRING
(2)

ISOLATOR TYPE

PERCENT TRANSMISSION FOR DISTURBING FREQUENCIES (CPM) (1)

500 650 3.47% 5.95% ------------800 2.26% 3.85% 7.94% ---------1000 1.44% 2.43% 4.94% ---------1200 0.99% 1.67% 3.38% ------1750 0.46% 0.78% 1.56% 6.43% ---3600 0.11% 0.18% 0.36% 1.10% 1.45% 3.70%

119 154 217 375 430 680

13.07% 6.00% -------------------------------

1.5 0.75 0.5 0.375 0.15

ELASTOMERIC MOUNT ELASTOMERIC PAD

10.82% 4.81%

NOTES: 1). Theoretical natural frequencies and transmissibility for elastomers have been adjusted for average inherent dampening. Note that the actual properties of elastomers may vary considerably. Elastomeric isolator manufacturing should be consulted. 2). Applies to open or housed spring. Housed springs must have sufficient clearance to avoid "short out" of spring.

Design Transmission for Critical: <3% Sensitive: <5% Non Sensitive: <10%

Effect of location and substructure

POOR

BETTER

BEST

ASHRAE APPLICATIONS HANDBOOK CHAPTER 47 SELECTION GUIDE

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS AND CASE STUDIES

Open spring isolator for AHU: 1-1/2 deflection

Open spring application with angle base

T-shape base to support pipe elbows

Compressor with large unbalanced forces

Typical Cooling Tower Isolation

RESTRAINED SPRING ISOLATORS

Chiller

Isolated Pipe

Typical Pipe Hangers

Combination Spring/Elastomeric Hanger

Suspended Equipment

Angularity hangers allow misalignment

Riser Pipe Support

Rooftop Units

Isolation rail for roof curb

Case 1: Failed installation on roof of hospital with no isolation

Case 1: Successful retrofit solved noise problem. RETROFIT

COST EXTRA $10,000

Case 2: Successful retrofit solved operating room problem.

Case 3: Successful retrofit solved laser lab problem.

Case 4: Successful retrofit solved building glass vibration problem.

SUMMARY

Vibration is a real problem in todays hospital and high tech industries. Prescribe the proper isolation to prevent vibration interference with important equipment.
A PENNY OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE