Best method of structural vibration damping

[jay156]

Here's the problem. There are two pumps on a concrete floor in a pump house. The floor seems to be supported adequately with pretty substantial steel sections beneath, though they are quite rusted. The superintendent brought us on to fix a problem with vibrations before they put in a replacement for one of the pumps.

My question is what is the best way to go about damping the vibrations? I'm thinking the steel probably needs to be replaced, just because it's really old and parts of the webs are just about rusted through in spots, but that won't solve the vibration problem, I don't think. I've thought of thickening the floor slab to increase the mass, or adding an elastomeric pad beneath the pump pads to isolate them.

Any other ideas? Do these sound like they'd fix it?

 

[jay156]

I also looked at a concrete vibration damping admixture:

http://www.concredamp.com/index.html

Does anyone know if it's any good/worth replacing the floor for?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

The new pump might solve its own problem. Replace the rusted steel. After that - adding mass seems to help or isolate the mounts on rubber or springs. Check w/ pump mfg - they may have some ideas....

 

[msquared48]

Mass or damping - either one will change the natural frequency of the structural system. Even a concrete isolation pad should help.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[JAE]

You could try this business...I've been to a seminar they put on a few years back - might or might not apply but worth a look:

http://www.mason-ind.com/masonind/home/index.cfm