Inertia pouring frame for concrete inertia base under pumps and equipment supplied by RMS Corporation

Inertia Pouring Frame has been developed for use with machines which produced a high level of Vibration or those which are subjected to external forces or are simply unstable when mounted directly on high deflection/low stiffness helical spring or rubber Mountings for giving an extremely high degree of vibration isolation without excessive motion. Vibration attenuation is dependent on base rigidity as well as Isolator deflection. If the base becomes distorted because of weight distribution, belt pull or the torque introduced by a direct drive, the equipment will wear out more quickly and vibrate excessively because of the loss of the alignment.

Base resonance is another difficulty that can result from poor frame construction, If base members are light and long, they will tend to Resonate at low frequencies that may be sympathetic or close to the operating speeds of the mounted equipment. The Frame is of fully welded construction with reinforcing bars and can be straight away filled at site with concrete to become rigid floating concrete platform. The inertia weight of the concrete will also reduce the operating amplitude of equipment. Viscous Damper can be incorporated to further control motion during transient conditions such as machine run-down and machine faults. Height saving brackets can be used to further lower the Centre of Gravity for better stability.

Typical Applications:

  • Compressors
  • Generating Sets
  • Engine/Dynamometer Test Rigs
  • Refrigeration Plant
  • Pumps (particularly Belt Driven )
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Description

Inertia Pouring Frame – Concrete Inertia Base Systems

Overview

Inertia pouring frames are steel formwork systems used to create concrete inertia bases (also called inertia blocks) for pumps, compressors and rotating equipment. The inertia base adds mass to reduce vibration amplitude and provides a stable mounting platform for vibration isolators.

Features

  • Heavy-gauge steel frame construction
  • Designed for concrete pouring and curing
  • Integrated mounting points for equipment and isolators
  • Removable or permanent frame options
  • Pre-drilled holes for anchor bolts
  • Corrosion-resistant coating
  • Custom sizes available

Applications

  • Centrifugal pumps and pump assemblies
  • Close-coupled pumps and vertical pumps
  • Small compressors and vacuum pumps
  • Motors and motor-driven equipment
  • Any equipment requiring inertia base for vibration control
  • Retrofit applications on existing floors
  • Rooftop equipment installations

Why Use Inertia Bases

  • Adds mass to reduce vibration amplitude
  • Provides stable, level mounting platform
  • Distributes equipment weight over larger area
  • Improves vibration isolator performance
  • Prevents rocking and instability
  • Isolates equipment from floor irregularities

Design Guidelines

  • Inertia base weight: minimum 1.5x to 2x equipment weight
  • Thickness: typically 150mm to 300mm
  • Extend 150-200mm beyond equipment footprint on all sides

Installation Process

  1. Lay a sheet of polyethylene, tarp, or fiberboard on a flat floor where the base will be poured and cured.
  2. Place the inertia base frame in its operating location. Ensure the rebar is located toward the bottom of the base.
  3.  Verify that all rebar-to-perimeter channel welds are secure.
  4. Fill the steel frame with concrete, typically using a minimum of 3000 PSI (or Grade 25) normal-weight concrete.
  5. Level the concrete, making it smooth and flush with the top of the steel frame.
  6. Allow the concrete to fully cure and dry before any further steps.
  7. Ensure the frame is level, using shims or blocks to support it if necessary, particularly if using a pan-bottom base
  8. Once cured, lift the base to install vibration isolators (springs or rubber mounts) under the mounting brackets.
  9. Place the equipment on the base, ensuring its orientation matches the submittal drawings.
  10. Use cast-in-place bolts (installed during pouring) or post-install anchors to secure the equipment to the base.
  11. Use the adjustment mechanisms on the vibration isolators to level the base.
  12. Remove all temporary blocks or shims used during the installation process.

Benefits

  • Improves vibration isolation effectiveness
  • Reduces floor vibration and noise
  • Provides stable mounting for equipment
  • Distributes loads to prevent floor damage
  • Cost-effective solution for vibration control
  • Can be used for retrofit applications

Contact RMS Corporation for inertia frame sizing, concrete calculations and complete vibration isolation system design including spring or rubber isolators.

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