Machine Foundation: Analysis and Design

The operation of a machine results in the generation of unbalanced dynamic forces and moments which are transmitted to the foundation and the underlying soil. The foundation for the machine must therefore be designed to ensure stability under the combined effect of static and dynamic loads. The dynamic nature of the loads makes the problem of analysis and design of a machine foundation somewhat complex. Even though the magnitude of dynamic load is small, it is applied repetitively over long periods of time. The vibration response of a machine-foundation-soil system is defined by its natural frequency and the amplitude of vibration under normal operating conditions of the machine. These are the two most important parameters to be determined in designing the foundation for any machine.