Study of Methods for the Seismic Design of a Machine for Paper Production

Abstract

The progresses in codes and the technical literature regarding seismic analyses emphasize, commonly, civil buildings and their dynamic behavior. Nevertheless, periodically, the dimensioning and construction of equipments or structures with distinct geometry and behavior are required. In numerous codes, though, statements that the comprised information is to be fully applied exclusively to seismic resistant configurations similar to the ones from typical buildings are found. In these codes, issued by many countries for the construction in their respective territory, there are procedures and criteria established for the seismic design. Moreover, applicable analysis methods are presented, and the selection of which one to employ is based on details as type of resisting frame, intended occupation, rebuilding costs, significance and the geological features of the erection site. In this paper, the study of part of a machine for paper production, regarding seismic analysis and by means of the Finite Element Method is presented. This machine consists of, essentially, a metallic frame supporting rotors, whose surfaces are in contact with the paper web. The methods usually found in codes, equivalent lateral force, spectrum analysis and analysis with acceleration time history were used, and their results compared and commented afterwards. A better understanding of the methods and input parameters appropriate for the structure in study was intended, as well as of any eventual deviation caused by their selection. Special emphasis was applied to requirements found in the Brazilian code for seismic design.