Integripedia Topic
Vibration Analysis
Excessive equipment vibration is a common issue experienced in industrial processes and facilities. Excessive vibration is most often caused by misalignment of equipment or components, unbalanced rotating equipment, or loose components (e.g. bolts). If not addressed, prolonged vibration can result in damage to equipment and may even cause system failure. Fixed, rotating, and structural assets are all susceptible to problems caused excessive vibration.
In its simplest form, vibration is a repetitive motion of a structure and can occur in numerous forms. Various types of vibration (e.g. free vibration, forced vibration, flow-induced vibration, random vibration, etc.) can be measured for analysis. The purpose of these Vibration Analysis is to determine how equipment will respond to an applied load or external force. Vibration analysis can also be used to determine the root cause of failure.
Vibration analysis is an important element in reliability centered maintenance, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance programs. The key benefits of identifying and mitigating vibration problems include reducing the risk of failure, extending the life of equipment, and lowering overall maintenance costs.
Tools and Techniques
Several techniques exist depending on the needed level of analysis and type of equipment and risks present.
Vibration Surveying and Monitoring. Monitoring is the simplest way identify vibration problems. Inspectors will install portable vibration sensors (e.g., probes) in multiple locations to acquire data about the type and magnitude of vibrational modes. The recorded data provides information to inspectors on the severity of the problem and on what type of analysis should be performed next.
Sometimes, long-term monitoring is necessary. Vibration monitoring allows operators and inspectors to determine appropriate inspection and maintenance intervals as well as identify causal relationships between facility operating conditions and vibration problems.
Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA). EMA is type of vibration test that involves applying various loads to a sample and measuring the resulting vibration signals. The applied loads simulate what the sample would experience in operating conditions. This method provides a theoretical solution that is used to correct vibration problems or calibrate computer models. Additionally, this technique is applied when equipment is not in service.
Operational Modal Analysis (OMA). Compared to EMA, OMA is performed when background noise signals make it difficult to distinguish from actual vibration signals. OMA is also performed while equipment is in service. This method is achieved by installing vibration sensors to measure operating vibration modes and natural frequencies.
Computer Simulations. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are two common computational tools used to solve vibration problems. FEA has the ability to simulate real-world situations. Additionally, various operating conditions can be tested before the component is in service. This means that modifications can be made in a computer system rather than an actual component. CFD is also a valuable tool that simulates flow-induced vibration problems often found in a petroleum refinery or chemical processing facility.
Industry Application
Vibration analysis can be performed on all equipment that is subject to vibration problems. Piping that transports fluid, equipment that cycles between different temperatures and pressures, and rotating equipment are among the most susceptible components to experience vibration. This analysis should be performed shortly after start-ups and repairs to ensure equipment is operating within integrity operating windows.
Is this definition incomplete? You can help by contributing to it.
Topic Tools
Share this Topic
Contribute to Definition
We welcome updates to this Integripedia definition from the Inspectioneering community. Click the link below to open a form that will allow you to make adjustments to the definition and submit them to the Inspectioneering staff.
Contribute to Definition-
July/August 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ralph E. King P.E. at Stress Engineering Services Inc., and Jacob Manuel, P.E. at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
An overview of process piping vibration and evaluating piping systems in vibration service to reduce harmful vibrations.
-
Insights Into Fixed Equipment Vibration – How a Piping System Was Affected by Flow-Induced VibrationNovember/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paolo Torrado at Engineering and Inspection Services, LLC., and Dr. Reza Azizian at Engineering & Inspection Services, LLC
Excessive vibration is a problem frequently encountered in industrial plants and their peripheral equipment, including piping systems, pressure vessels, and steel structures. Long term excessive vibration can lead to fatigue crack propagation and...
-
March/April 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lyle Breaux P.E. at Stress Engineering Services, Inc., Eric Luther P.E. at Stress Engineering Services, Inc., and Scott McNeill Ph.D., P.E. at Stress Engineering Services
The most common equipment vibration problems are often solved in industry without the use of specialty engineering resources. Routine vibration problems-from machinery imbalance and misalignment to simple cases of noise and resonance-are often...
E²G, an employee-owned engineering firm specializing in consulting services for new and aging infrastructure in refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. E²G helps clients improve profitability with consulting strategies and software tools that manage risk & control inspection costs throughout the life-cycle of a facility’s equipment.
E²G, an employee-owned engineering firm specializing in consulting services for new and aging infrastructure in refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. E²G helps clients improve profitability with consulting strategies and software tools that manage risk & control inspection costs throughout the life-cycle of a facility’s equipment.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
Stress Engineering Services is an independent, employee-owned consulting engineering firm committed to engineering problem solving. With years of experience in refineries, power stations, chemical plants and pipelines, our focus is on providing engineering solutions to improve plant and refinery on-stream efficiency, safety, and reliability.
Stress Engineering Services is an independent, employee-owned consulting engineering firm committed to engineering problem solving. With years of experience in refineries, power stations, chemical plants and pipelines, our focus is on providing engineering solutions to improve plant and refinery on-stream efficiency, safety, and reliability.
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.