CHAPTER 2

DESIGN OF MACHINE FOUNDATION

GenSet Model: 9M25C Diesel Engine

Length of Engine: 8,125 mm
Height of Engine: 4,437 mm
Width of Engine: 1,700 mm
Weight of Engine and Generator: 54,000 kg

2.0 Solving for the Weight of the foundation, WF

The PME Code 2008 Edition Chapter2, Section 40, Article
4.1 B states that “the foundation mass should be 3 to 5 times
of the machinery it is supposed to support”. For safety-wise,
use 5 times of the machinery.

Thus,
𝑊𝐹 = 5𝑊𝑀
Where:
𝑊𝑀 =weight of the machine
𝑊𝐹 = weight of the foundation
Substituting,
𝑊𝐹 = 5(54,000𝑘𝑔)

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 𝑾𝑭 = 𝟐𝟕𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈
2.1 Dimension of Foundation
Upper Width, a, and Length, LF, of the Foundation:
Allow a clearance from the edge about one foot or
about 10% of the length of the bedplate

LL
b

2.1.1 Solving for length of the Foundation, LF

LF = 8,125 mm+2(0.10 x 8,125 mm)

LF = 9,750 mm or 9.750 m
Say use, 10 m
2.1.2 Solving for the width of the foundation, a

a
a = 1,700 mm+2(0.10 x 1,700 mm)
a = 2040 mm or 2.04 m
a = 2.10 m

b
2.1.3 Solving for Lower Width of the Foundation, b
WM +WF
Sb=
b(LF )

Where:

Sb= Safe Bearing Power of Soil

WM = Weight of the Machine

WF = Weight of the Foundation

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 LF = Length of the Foundation

From Table 4-4 of PPE by Morse, p. 105, the safe bearing

power of soil is within the range of 19.5-58.5 tonnes/m2. For
safety design, the designers decided to use 58.5 tonnes/m2.
For safety machine foundation, the soil bearing capacity
should be ½ the allowance value.

Thus,
𝑆𝑏 WM +WF
=
2 b(LF )

2(𝑊𝑀 + 𝑊𝐹 )
𝑏=
𝑆𝑏 𝐿𝐹

2(270𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑠 + 540𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑠)
𝑏= 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑠
(46.9 )(10𝑚)
𝑚2

𝑏 = 1.38𝑚
Say use, 𝒃 =1.40 m

Since the lower width “b” come out to be less than the
upper width “a”, it is customary to make “b” equal to “a”,
that is the foundation has rectangular cross-section.
𝒂 = 𝒃 = 𝟐, 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒎𝒎 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟎 𝒎

2.1.4 Volume of the Rectangular Foundation, VF:

WF
VF =
PF
Where:
WF = Weight of the foundation
PF = Density of the concrete, 2406 kg/m3

Substituting,

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 270,000 kg
VF = kg⁄
2,406 m3
VF = 112.22 m3
2.1.5 Height of the Rectangular Foundation, h:
VF
h=
LF x a
Where:
VF = Volume of the foundation
LF = Length of the foundation

Substituting,
112.22 m3
h=
10 m x 2.10 m
h = 5.4 m
2.1.6 Area of the Rectangular Foundation, AF:
AF = LF x a
Where:
AF = Length of the foundation
a = Upper width of the foundation

Substituting,
AF = 10 m x 2.10 m
AF = 21 m2
2.1.7 Net Weight Imposed by the Machine and Foundation on
Soil, Wnet:
Wnet= WM + WF
Where:
WM = Weight of the machine
WF = Weight of the foundation

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Substituting,
Wnet = 54 tonnes + 270 tonnes
Wnet= 324 tonnes
2.1.8 Pressure Exerted by the Machine and Foundation on
Soil,Si:
Wnet
Si =
AF
Where:
AF = Area of the foundation
Substituting,
324 tonnes
Si =
21 m2
Si = 15.42 tons⁄m2

2.1.9 Foundation Factor of Safety, FS:

Sb
FS=
Si
Where:
Sb = Safe soil bearing capacity
Si= Stress imposed by machine and
foundation on soil
Substituting,

58.5 tons⁄m2
FS=
(15.42 tons⁄m2 )

FS = 5.54
Based on the foregoing computation, the foundation is

concluded to be safe since its factor of safety exceeds the

allowable factor of safety discussed in PSME code, 2008

Edition, Chapter 2, Section 4.0, Article 4.1 which is 5.

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Dimensions of Machine Foundation
Foundation Geometrical Figure Rectangle
Height of foundation 5.4 m
Width of foundation 1.4 m
Length of foundation 10 m
Material Estimates for Machine Foundation
2.2 Determine the Amount of Cement, Sand and Stone in the
Foundation:
From PME Code, 2008 Edition, page 12, Section 4.2:
The foundation should be concrete, of 1 part cement, 2
parts sand and 4 parts broken stone or gravel (maximum of 50
mm; the entire foundation should be poured at one time, with
no interruption than are required for spading and ramming.

Table 4-1: DATA ON CONCRETE MIXES TO YIELD 1 CU M CONCRETE

(Power Plant Engineering by Frederick T. Morse)
Mixture Cement, Sand, Stone, Application Weight, Safe
Sacks yd3 yd3 t/m3 Comp.
Stress,
t/m2
1:2:4 4.8 0.44 0.88 R.C Floors, 2.66 328.10
Beams and
Columns

2.2.1Quantity of Cement, No. of Sacks, NSC:

NSC = VF x 7.8 sacks/m3
Where:
VF = Volume of foundation, 112.22 m3
Substituting,
NSC = 112.22 m3 x 7.8 sacks/m3
NSC = 875.316 sacks
NSC = 876 sacks/foundation

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 NSC = 876 sacks (4 + 1 reserve)
NSC = 4,380 sacks

2.2.2 Quantity of Sand, Volume of Sand, VS:

VS = VF x 0.44 m3 sand
VS = 112.22 m3 x 0.44 sand
VS = 49.3768 m3 sand
VS = 50 m3 /foundation
VS = 50 m3(4+1 reserve)
VS = 250 m3 sand

2.2.3 Quantity of Stone, Volume of Stone, VST:

VST = VF x 0.88 m3 stone
VST = 112.22 m3 x 0.88 m3 stone
VST = 98.7536 m3stone
VST = 99 m3/foundation
VST = 99m3(4+1 reserve)
VST = 495 m3 stone
2.3 Steel Bar Reinforcement
2.3.1Weight of the Steel Bar Reinforcements, WSBR:
From PME Code, 2008 Edition, page 11, Section 4.1f:
“Concrete foundations should have steel bar
reinforcements placed both vertically and horizontally, to
avoid thermal cracking. Weight of reinforcing steel should be
from 0.5% to 1% of the weight of the foundation.”
For safety design, use the average which is 0.75%.
WSBR = 0.75% WF
WSBR = 0.0075 (270,000kg)
WSBR = 2025 kg

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2.3.2 Volume of the Steel Bar Reinforcements, VSBR:
From Kent’s Mechanical Engineering Handbook, Production
Volume, Page 6-02, the density of structural steel is equal
to 490 lb/ft3.
Weight of steel bar reinforcement
VSBR =
Density of steel

2025 kg x 2.2 lb⁄kg

VSBR =
lb (3.281)3 ft3
490 x
ft3 1m3

VSBR= 0.26 m3
2.3.3Volume of the Steel Bar Reinforcements per Piece, VRPP:
Say use, Standard size of steel bar reinforcements with
standard diameter equal to 16 mm and length of 6 m.
πDb 2 Lb
VRPP =
4
Where:
Db = diameter of steel bar
Lb = length of steel bar
Substituting,
π(0.016m)2 (6m)
VRPP =
4
VRPP = 0.001206 m3/piece

2.3.4 Total Number of Steel Bar Reinforcements, TSBR:

Volume of steel bar reinforcements
TSBR =
volume of steel bar reinforcements per piece

0.26 m3
TSBR = 3
0.001206 m ⁄piece

TSBR = 215.6 pieces

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 TSBR = 216 pieces/foundation
TSBR = 216 pieces(4 units)
TSBR = 864 pieces

2.4 Anchor Bolts

2.4.1 Selection of Anchor Bolts:
From PME Code, 2008 Edition, page 13, Section 4.2:
“To prevent pulling out of the bolts when the nuts are
tightened, the length embedded in concrete shall be equal to
or more than thirty (30) times the bolt diameter.”

For Standard Specification of Anchor Bolts.

2.4.2 Diameter of anchor bolts, DAB:
Say use, DAB = 1 inch or 25.0 mm
2.4.3 Length of anchor bolt imbedded in concrete, LAB:
From PME Code 2008 Edition “the length embedded in
concrete shall be equal to or more than thirty (30) times the
bolt diameter”.
Standard length for 1-inch anchor bolt diameter is equal
to 36-inches
Therefore:
LAB = 36 inches

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Other dimensions of anchor bolt of 1-inch diameter.
Hook, C = 4 inches
Thread, T = 6 inches
2.4.4 Total Length of Anchor Bolts, LTAB:
LTAB = L + C
LTAB = 36 in + 4 in
LTAB = 40 inches
2.4.5 Quantity of Bolts, BQ:
Assuming that there are 3 bolts per meter of the bedplate.
Perimeter of Rectangular Foundation

𝑃 = 2𝐿 + 2𝑊

𝐵𝑄 = 𝑃 × 3 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠⁄𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝐵𝑄 = (2𝐿 + 2𝑊) × 3 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠⁄𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟

Where:
W = width of bedplate
L = length of bedplate
Substituting,

BQ = [2(8.125m) + 2(1.7m)] × 1 bolts⁄meter

BQ = 20 bolts
BQ = 20 pcs/bedplate
BQ = 20 pcs(4 + 1 reserve)
BQ = 100 pieces
2.4.6 Diameter of Pipe Sleeves, DPS:
“the diameter of pipe sleeve should at least three (3)
times the diameter of anchor bolt”.
𝐷𝑃𝑆 = 3𝐷𝐴𝐵
𝐷𝑃𝑆 = 3(1𝑖𝑛)
𝑫𝑷𝑺 = 𝟑inches or 76 mm

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2.4.7 Length of Pipe Sleeve
“the total length of pipe sleeve is at least 18 times the
diameter of bolts”.
𝐿𝑃𝑆 = 18𝐷𝐴𝐵
𝐿𝑃𝑆 = 18(1𝑖𝑛)
𝑳𝑷𝑺 = 𝟏𝟖𝒊𝒏 or 457 mm
2.4.8 Total Length of Pipe Sleeve, LPS:
With the total number of bolts used in each foundation
bedplate, the total length of the pipe sleeve to be used will
be,
TLPS = length of pipe sleeve x BQ
Where:
BQ = total number of bolts
Substituting,
TLPS = 18 in (100 pcs)
0.0254𝑚
𝑇𝐿𝑃𝑆 = 6,480𝑖𝑛 ×
1𝑖𝑛
𝑻𝑳𝑷𝑺 = 𝟏𝟔𝟒. 𝟓𝟗𝟐𝒎

2.4.9 Quantity of Pipe Sleeve, PSQ:

Using the commercial standard pipe length which is 20
feet per piece.
total length of pipe sleeve
PSQ = standard length of pipe sleeve

3.281 ft
164.592 m ( )
1 m
PSQ = ft
20 ⁄pc
PSQ = 27pieces
2.5 Grouting
Machine should be leveled by driving wedges between the
machine’s base and the concrete foundation and with the aid
of a spirit level. Grout all spaces under the machine bed
with a thin mixture of one part cement and two parts of sand.

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The level wedges should be removed after the grout has
thoroughly set and fill wedges’ holes with grout.
Foundation should be isolated from floor slabs or
building footings by at least 25 mm around its perimeter to
eliminate transmission of vibration.
“Grouting is a process of filling a small clearance
between the machine and the foundation with a hardening
mixture. Grout is usually made of a 2:1 mixture of sand and
cement, mixed wet enough to be fully fluid.”, from PPE by
Frederick T. Morse, Page 112.
2.5.1 Volume of the Grout, VG:
Using a standard thickness of the grout to be 25 mm.
VG = grout thickness x AF
Where:
AF = area of foundation
Substituting,
VG = 0.025m x 34.52m2
VG = 0.863 m3/foundation
VG = 0.863 m3 (4 + 1 reserve)
VG = 4.315 m3
2.6 Quantity of Tire Wire (G.I wire)

From Architectural and Cons. data by G. Salvan and S.

Thapa, Pg. 657, Estimate Guide for Lay-out and
Scaffoldings.

“For the tie wire, multiply the horizontal bar to the

number of vertical bars, this gives the number of connections.
Then multiply by 0.40 to get the total length of G.I. wire.
Then divide by 126 to get the number of G.I. wire.

2.6.1 For the Number of Connection,

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 Number of connection = Vertical bars x Horizontal bars

3.041 11.352
Number of connection = 0.5 × 0.5
3.28 3.28

Number of connection = 1,486 connections

2.6.2 Total Length of G.I. wire,

Total Length of G.I. wire = 1,486 (0.4)

Total Length of G.I. wire = 595 m

2.6.3 Total Weight of G.I. wire,

595m
Total Weight of G.I. wire = 126m/kg

Total Weight of G.I. wire = 4.72kgs

Say use, Total Weight of G.I. wire = 4.75kgs

2.7 Quantity of Plywood to be used in Foundation

2.7.1 Solving for the Surface Area of the Machine Foundation
where the plywood would serve as a guide of foundation.
SAMF = 2(b × hf ) + 2(hf × Lf )
SAMF = 2(3.041m × 3.25m) + 2(3.25m × 11.352m)
𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐅 = 𝟗𝟑. 𝟓𝟓𝟒𝟓𝒎𝟐 𝑜𝑟 (𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟔. 𝟓𝒇𝒕𝟐 )
2.7.2 Area of Plywood

𝐴𝑝 = 4𝑓𝑡 × 8𝑓𝑡

𝑨𝑷 = 𝟑𝟐𝒇𝒕𝟐 (2.974𝒎𝟐 )
From Architectural and Construction Data by G. Salvan and
S. Thapa, p.657, Estimate Guide for Layout and Scaffoldings
1 Surface Area of Foundation
No. of Pcs. of 2 in. Plywood = Area of Plywood

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 1 1,006.5𝑓𝑡 2
No. of Pcs. of 2 in. Plywood = 32𝑓𝑡 2

1
No. of Pcs. of 2 in. Plywood = 31.45

Say use, No. of Pcs. Of 1/2 in. Plywood = 32 pieces

2.8 QUANTITY OF REINFORCED LUMBER

2.8.1 For Scaffoldings use: 2”×3” ×12’

From Architectural and Construction Data by G. Salvan and
S. Thapa, p.657,it is stated that, to get the board feet of
2”×3” of lumber, multiply the total area of plywood in 60%
Thus,
Total board feet of 2” × 3” lumber = 1,006.5𝑓𝑡 2 (0.6)
Total board feet of 2” × 3” lumber = 603.9𝑓𝑡 2
Therefore, the quantity of 2” ×3” × 12′ lumber required
603.9𝑓𝑡 2
= 6board feet/𝑝𝑐𝑠

= 101 pieces
2.9 QUANTITY OF NAILS REQUIRED
2.9.1 Quantity of Nails for Plywood
As recommended by Salvan and Thapa Architectural and
Construction Data, p. 657
Total area of plywood(m2 )
No. of kegs of 2"C. W. nails = 2303

Where:
1kegs= 45.5 kg of nails
93.5545𝑚2
No. of kegs of 2"C. W. nails = 2303

No. of kegs ofNo. of kegs of 2"C. W. nails = 0.040623kegs

45.5kg
No. of kegs of 2"C. W. nails = 0.040623kegs × 1kegs

No. of kegs of 2"C. W. nails = 1.85kg

Say use, 2 kilograms of #2 nails

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2.9.2 Quantity of Nails for Lumber
Total Board Foot of Lumber
No. of kegs ofNo. of kegs of 4"C. W. nails = 2800

603.9𝑓𝑡 2
No. of kegs ofNo. of kegs of 4"C. W. nails = 2800
45.5kg
No. of kegs ofNo. of kegs of 4"C. W. nails = 0.2157kegs × 1keg

No. of kegs ofNo. of kegs of 4"C. W. nails = 9.81kg

Say use, 10 kilograms of #4 nails

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