Challenge:
A local refinery is replacing a converter located in its Acid Plant Unit. The new converter is to be placed on the existing mat foundation. A new steel grillage support system is required to mate the vessel to the foundation due to the concave bottom of the new vessel. Although the new vessel is lighter, its higher center of gravity and the higher seismic demand based on current code requirements resulted in higher seismic loads.
Resolution:
Our engineering team designed the new steel grillage support system and developed a detailed model of the steel grillage, the mat foundation and the support piles. Dead load and governing seismic load analyses using current code requirements were considered to ensure the structural integrity of the new steel grillage and the existing mat foundation.
