Isolation Theory

The isolation of machinery to prevent the transmission of vibration and noise has become one of the important phases of modern building engineering. Light weight construction and locating mechanical equipment on upper floors, adjacent to quiet areas, increases the requirement for vibration control. The use of isolation is primarily for reducing the effect of the dynamic forces generated by moving parts in a machine into the surrounding structure.

Isolation Theory Every machine by its very function of operation creates a vibration or shock of varying intensity or amplitude. The requirements for isolating this vibration depend upon the local conditions of installation. Three principle factors control the selection of an isolator for a particular machine. The first is the weight to be supported, the second is the disturbing frequency of the machine and the third is the rigidity of the structure supporting the machine. Vibration is a force and establishing an opposed force can effectively reduce its transmission. This is accomplished by incorporating a truly resilient material, which when subjected to a static load, deflects and by so doing establishes the natural frequency of the isolation system. When the natural frequency of the isolation system is lower than the operating or disturbing frequency of the supported machine, each cycle of vibratory force finds the resilient material in the returning phase of its cycle. The effectiveness of the isolation then, is a function of the distance of return travel remaining at the time of impact. This is best explained by visualizing each cycle as an individual blow. This blow drives the isolator into dynamic deflection. When the force of the blow is spent, the isolator starts its return at its own frequency. Since the frequency is slower than that of the blows, it is obvious the return will be only partial before next impact. Because the isolator possessed the energy with which to complete its return to equilibrium, the unaccomplished portion of travel represents the amount of opposed energy that will absorb the next impact. Therefore, the greater the ratio of disturbing to natural frequency the more efficient the isolation, subject to diminishing returns. It is evident any truly resilient material capable of the required static deflection, operating within its elastic limits will produce the required results. The essential factor of an isolator is it must be truly resilient. It must have the ability to return to its original height when loads or forces are removed. Such a material, when loaded within its elastic limits, will have a long effective life. In the case where vibrations are present due to a constant steady-state oscillation of imbalance in a machine a precise formula may be applied with reasonable certainty of attaining desired results. In substance, this formula is based on the ration of the operating frequency of the machine or other equipment to be isolated, to the natural frequency of the isolated system. The disturbing frequency f d of a machine can be readily determined either by measurement or by the known operating characteristics of the equipment. Generally the lowest R.P .M. in the system is used as the disturbing frequency. The natural frequency f n of a machine set on resilient material is a function of the static deflection of the resilient material under the imposed load. For practical purposes the natural frequency f n is described by the formula:

fn = 187.8 d

where d = static deflection in inches.

Isolation Theory

The ratio ( f d/f n ) establishes the efficiency of the isolation from the following formula:

E 100.1 _

fn

_1

E = percentage of vibration isolated. f d = Disturbing frequency of the isolated machine. f n =Natural frequency of the isolated machine. The percentage of isolation efficiency attained as a measure of the amount of reduction in the ampliture of the transmitted mechanical vibration. Refer to figure 'A' to readily select the static deflection required to attain a desired isolation efficiency.
ISOLATION STATIC DEFLECTION (inches)
3.00 2.50 2.00 1.75 1.50 1.25 1.00 0.80
RE SO NA NC E
AMPLIFICAITON ZONE DO NOT USE

ISOLATION EFFICIENCY

60 %
200 250

80 %

90 %
NO RM

95 %
AL AP PL

97 %
IC

98 %
CR ITI CA LA

99 %
EX TR EM YC EL PP IO AT LIC

RI TIC AL AP

0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.25

IO AT NS

PL IC IO AT N

NS

300

400

500

600

800

1000

1200

1600

2000

2500

DISTURBING FREQUENCY (cycles per minute)

To determine the percent of isolation efficiency from figure 'A', read from the graph at the intersection of vibration (disturbing) frequency and static deflection. Shock Isolation Shock can be described as a motion in which the velocity changes very suddenly causing a single or multiple impacts into the ground or surrounding structure. Consequently, the theory of isolation outlined above is not applicable as the forcing (disturbing) frequency is usually low (less than 100 cpm). However, best results are obtained with isolators providing low natural frequencies. The design and selection of an isolation system for impact machines such as drop hammers and punch presses, must take into account that the energy of each blow is dissipated before the next impact occurs. When necessary, use of inertia mass and damping devices may be employed to attain desired stability.

3000

Isolation Theory

Noise An additional benefit of machinery isolation is the associated noise reduction. Introduction of a resilient medium between the equipment and the structure acts to break the path of structural borne noise. This results in noise reduction in areas outside the machinery room and to limited extent, in the area around the machine. This is achieved by reducing the sounding board effect normally associated with machinery mounted solidly to the structure. Use of isolation does not reduce air-borne noise if found to be above allowable levels. Air-borne noise must be treated acoustically with acoustic enclosures or other sound absorbing devices. Location In evaluating and selecting an effective isolation system, consideration must be given to identifying critical areas. In buildings where equipment is located directly over or adjacent to quiet areas, offices, libraries, studios, operating rooms, etc., a very critical condition exists, requiring extremely high isolation efficiency. Basement locations and areas with high ambient noise such as factories, warehouses, power plants, etc., are considered less critical and can tolerate larger transmitted forces. In addition, the geographic location of the building is also important. If located in a designated earthquake zone, the potential seismic forces produced will dictate the incorporation of restraints to protect the resilient isolated equipment. Materials After the desired static deflection has been established the isolating medium is selected. Steel springs and elastomers are generally accepted material that meets the requirements of resiliency for isolation. Elastomers describe natural rubber and the various synthetic materials such as neoprene. It possesses inherent damping and sound deadening characteristics and can be molded into any shape or hardness and vulcanized to metal. The term rubber-in-shear is used to describe the deflection in shear rather than compression. Elastomers limit static deflection to a maximum of 1/2 inch and can be incorporated to provide damping in spring isolators. Metal springs become preferable when the required static deflection exceeds 1/2 inch. they can be designed to provide large static deflection and depending on the application are available either free standing, housed or vertically restrained. Free standing springs are usually unrestrained devices which must be laterally stable meeting a minimum of 0.8 ration of spring diameter to compressed height. Housed springs are used to counteract the effect of lateral forces, while vertically restrained springs are used for equipment whose weight varies with the addition or removal of large amounts of water and for rooftop equipment subject to wind loads. Since steel springs will transmit noise, introducing an elastomer pad to break the direct structural borne noise path is necessary.

Vibration Isolation Terminology

Vibration Isolation
Definition of Terms
Amplitude A M The magnitude of the displacement from mean position of a deflection caused by vibration. Typically the rotational frequency of a machine The number of vibrations in a freely oscillating system per unit of time (/second for Hz) f0 = 1/2? (Kdyn/m) Mass Spring force Deflection Static spring stiffness Dynamic spring stiffness Tuning ratio Interference force Impulse force Level of isolation Damping Coefficient Critical damping m f d Kstat Kdyn Z Fs Fi I C Ccr Kg N m N/m N/m N N The mass of the oscillating system The force exerted on or from a spring (or AV mounting) The deformation of a spring (AV Mount) from neutral position The force in Newtons to compress the spring or mounting by 1m Spring stiffness when an alternating force is applied The ratio between Interference frequency (f) and natural frequency (f0) The force transmitted to the base of an isolated machine The force transmitted to the base of a rigidly mounted machine That part of the impulse force which is eliminated by the vibration isolation

Interference frequency Frequency

f fg

Hz Hz

Ns/m The linear viscous damping coefficient Ns/m The linear viscous damping at critical damping. i.e. no over oscillation after displacement dB Mm The ration between c and ccr Isolation expressed in decibels R=20log(1/B) The static deflection for a spring = F/ Kstat

Damping factor Reduction Deflection

D R stat

Y Due to policy of continual improvement, the specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Measurements are subject to 5% tolerance. Y To achieve good sound suppression do not over load fitting. Y