Foundations design for industrial structures

Design of foundations for tanks, equipment, steel structures and industrial facilities using real engineering examples

This course explains the design of foundations for industrial facilities used in oil and gas, refinery, petrochemical, and power generation projects. It provides practical guidance for civil and structural engineers who are involved in the design of foundations supporting static equipment and industrial structures.

Participants will learn how to design ring beam foundations for steel storage tanks and how to select the most appropriate foundation type based on the tank diameter and loading conditions. The course also explains the design of foundations for horizontal vessels, such as separators, heat exchangers, and similar equipment used in industrial plants.

A key part of the course focuses on the differences between separator and heat exchanger foundation design, highlighting the engineering considerations that affect each type of equipment. The course also explains the interface between civil/structural engineers and mechanical engineers, including the required mechanical data needed to complete a proper foundation design. Practical design guidelines for static equipment foundations will be presented throughout the course.

In addition, the course discusses the foundation design of vertical vessels, such as towers commonly used in gas processing units and refineries. Because these structures are tall and subject to significant loads, special design considerations and precautions must be taken when designing their foundations.

Another important topic covered in this course is the design of supports for pipelines and piping systems inside industrial plants. Different types of piping supports will be explained, and their design will be coordinated with piping stress analysis performed by piping engineers.

To help participants apply the concepts, an Excel spreadsheet tool will be introduced to demonstrate foundation design calculations under different loading conditions, including axial forces, shear forces, and bending moments in both directions.

By the end of this course, participants will gain the practical knowledge and engineering know-how required to design foundations for various types of static equipment used in oil and gas, refinery, petrochemical, and power generation projects.

As an additional benefit, participants will also receive a real calculation example from the instructor’s engineering book, allowing them to further understand the design methodology through a practical example.