Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb
Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb
(OP)
I am designing a generator pad for a 400kw generator that has an attached fuel tank capable of running the generator for 72hrs.
I want to comply with ACI 351.3R and have my underlying concrete weight be at least 3 times the equipment weight.
Generator Motor Unit: 7,898 lbs
Steel Enclosure and Empty Tank: 5,120 lbs
Fuel (2,644 gallons @ 7.1 lb/gal): 2,651 lbs
The total is 15,669 lbs. If I hit is with a dead/fluid load factor of 1.4 then I'm at ~22,000lbs. If I then multiply by 3, then i need 66,000 lbs of concrete underneath. This will definitely get me into an 18inch+ slab territory.
Questions:
1) What weight should I use as the generator weight? The whole generator, steel enclosure skid, and fuel tank are 1 unit. But the motor unit is the only thing generating vibrations (no pun intended lol).
2) Should I use a factored load, or service load for the '3x weight factor rule of thumb' (ACI 351.3R-04 section 4.1.2.1)
Thank you in advance.
I want to comply with ACI 351.3R and have my underlying concrete weight be at least 3 times the equipment weight.
Generator Motor Unit: 7,898 lbs
Steel Enclosure and Empty Tank: 5,120 lbs
Fuel (2,644 gallons @ 7.1 lb/gal): 2,651 lbs
The total is 15,669 lbs. If I hit is with a dead/fluid load factor of 1.4 then I'm at ~22,000lbs. If I then multiply by 3, then i need 66,000 lbs of concrete underneath. This will definitely get me into an 18inch+ slab territory.
Questions:
1) What weight should I use as the generator weight? The whole generator, steel enclosure skid, and fuel tank are 1 unit. But the motor unit is the only thing generating vibrations (no pun intended lol).
2) Should I use a factored load, or service load for the '3x weight factor rule of thumb' (ACI 351.3R-04 section 4.1.2.1)
Thank you in advance.






RE: Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb
RE: Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb
15,700 pounds. Vibrating inertia is the cause of problems. You have 15,700 lb. of vibrating equipment - regardless that vibration is caused only by the motor. A proportional amount of non-vibrating mass (the concrete)is needed to sufficiently minimize vibration magnitude to prevent damage to bearings - both the motor's and the generator's bearings.
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RE: Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb
RE: Dynamic Equipment Loading - Generator Weight ACI 351 Rule of Thumb