Analyzes and loads
Uniso has worked on dimensioning the load-bearing structures in process plants so that they can cope with the loads they are exposed to. Among other things, the facilities were verified to withstand seismic loads (earthquake) according to American building standards ANSI/AISC 341 and ANSI/AISC 360. The loads and seismic spectrum used were developed according to ASCE/ASEI 7-10. Since seismic load spectra are different depending on which location is intended, specific seismic parameters were developed for the response spectrum analyzes which were adapted to the current area of the facility.
Customer benefit
The outcome of the analyzes was that the loads in the plant's steel structures, which can occur during an earthquake, could be controlled so that they did not exceed permitted levels. The largest possible forces and moments that may be transferred from the columns to the ground foundations were determined, which provided valuable input to the building contractor who dimensioned the foundations. The opportunity was also given to evaluate the forces transmitted in all the screw connections and other nodes of the plant. Even the largest possible movements that can occur were obtained and could be evaluated against limit values in the standards.
The results of the calculations contributed to the fact that the constructions could be optimized and improved at a number of particularly vulnerable points early in the project. The project is a very good example of how, with committed employees and close collaboration between calculation engineers, designers and production engineers, you can effectively develop good products.
