Building and Construction

Architects, structural engineers and contractors around the world cooperate with Fabreeka International. They value the engineered material solutions as well as the company's expertise in reducing structure-borne noise, vibration and thermal bridging.

 

Fabreeka routinely provides a dynamic analysis of steel support structures, including a vibration survey and analysis, to determine current vibration levels and finite element analysis (FEA) to predict resultant vibration for a recommended solution. Add an extensive product portfolio to these services and Fabreeka can offer one-stop vibration control and structure-borne noise solutions for a myriad of applications relative to building and construction. They include elevator isolation, stack vibration dampers to reduce vortex shedding on stacks or towers, fixed or expansion bearings for bridges and buildings, structural and non-structural thermal bridging solutions, and foundation isolation.

 

Bridges

 

Flexibility and movement are a necessity in bridge construction, whether a steel-bridge, a concrete highway overpass, or a bridge for a railroad. Without the ability to flex and move, the structural integrity of the bridge can be compromised, and eventually lead to failure. Fabreeka supplies bearing pads, both fixed and sliding, for bridges around the world.

 

Fixed bearing pads, such as Fabreeka preformed fabric bearing pads and SA-47 random oriented fiber bearing pads are used on bridges to support uneven load and rotation on steel to steel or steel to concrete connections. These bearing pads, also known as bedding pads, provide uniform load distribution on highway and railroad bridges and reduce vibration by adding damping to steel structures.

 

Fabreeka’s expansion bearings, or slide bearings, can be used on steel and precast concrete bridges. They offer a durable sliding surface with a low coefficient of friction to allow for thermal expansion and contraction in bridges to minimize structural stresses. Fabreeka type SBX expansion bearings include the company's own preformed fabric bearing pads to allow beam rotations created by loads. SBX expansion bearings also provide an even distribution of loads between members, and vibration is reduced by adding damping to steel structures.

 

Fabreeka designs and manufactures custom expansion bearings to your specifications, including bearings with ultra-low coefficient of friction and bearings for high temperature applications.

 

Fabreeka’s Bridge Rail pads have simplified the installation of railings as our SA-47 pad is supplied to the exact size and shape of the rail support contact area. This pad evenly distributes the loading and hold-down forces from the bolts by conforming to the irregularities of the surfaces in which it makes contact. Durable and dependable, Fabreeka bridge rail pads exhibit high compressive strength and a limited creep characteristic. These differentiating factors set them apart from the standard unreinforced neoprene pads, as well as making them a great alternative to epoxy and grout installations.

 

Fabreeka’s Lamp Post pads are an excellent and economical way to reduce shock and vibration induced by wind and traffic. Depending on the height of the pole and state specifications, pads made of either Fabreeka pad or SA-47 are supplied to the exact size, shape and bolt hole-pattern of the lamp post base. Lamp post pads help to evenly distribute loadings and adapt to any irregularities in the concrete mounting surfaces while providing damping to reduce post motion. Additionally, Fabreeka washers and bushings are utilized to completely isolate the lamp post from transmitted vibration.

 

Fabreeka’s Drain Trough material is manufactured into a flexible water drainage system for use on bridges and overpasses. Designed for installation under the expansion joint fingers, these flexible troughs channel water into rigid down spouts and avoid water dripping on vehicles passing under bridges.

 

Buildings

 

For decades, Fabreeka International has been successful in vibration isolation and reducing structure-borne noise in buildings. With the combined effort of our expert engineering staff and an extensive selection of materials, we provide solutions to the many needs and challenges facing construction in the modern world.

 

Our fixed bearing pads, whether Fabreeka or SA-47, support uneven load and rotation in steel to steel or steel to concrete connections, and provide even load distribution between members. Bearing pads reduce vibration on building floors, diminish structure-borne noise, and protect structural integrity by absorbing movement and deflection caused by movement.

 

Fabreeka provides structural expansion bearings, or slide bearings, for numerous building applications. These expansion bearings allow thermal expansion of beams and other members, and they permit beam rotations caused by loads and have a low coefficient of friction which minimizes structural stresses.

 

A building’s foundation can also require isolation from external vibrations such as traffic, trains, subway cars, or nearby construction. Fabreeka has several foundation isolation products to isolate the building base from these disturbing influences.

 

Internal sources of structure-borne noise and vibration in buildings can come from mechanical rooms or elevator rail cars. Fabreeka reduces these noise and vibrations to provide a more serene environment for adjacent penthouses, offices, hotel rooms, or any other living spaces that could be adversely affected.

 

Today’s engineers and architects are well aware of the benefits of energy efficiency. One way to enhance energy performance is by adding a Fabreeka-TIM structural thermal break, which is a load bearing thermal break that is used between flanged steel connections. This energy saving product maintains structural integrity while reducing energy transfer through the building envelope. This thermal bridging solution can be used on balconies and canopies, or other steel members protruding through the building envelope. For structural connections in compression, such as column bases, roof equipment, dunnage post support, and foundation connections, Fabreeka-TIM RF can be used to reduce thermal energy transfer. Additionally, Fabreeka-TIM series products can bring you a step closer to achieving LEED certification.

 

Towers

 

Steel stacks and towers have relatively low inherent structural damping; therefore, excessive top-of-stack deflection can happen at critical wind speeds due to vortex shedding. To keep deflection within acceptable parameters, damping must be added to the “stack-foundation-soil” system. One way to achieve this is with stack foundation dampers. A ring of Fabreeka preformed fabric pad is placed between the stack base plate and concrete foundation. Additionally, Fabreeka washers are installed between steel washers/plates under the anchor bolt nuts. Introducing damping to the structure minimizes amplification at resonance, therefore creating a more stable structure.
Energy

 

Engineers in almost all industries and many applications have to deal with unwanted vibrations. The energy sector is no exception, and with our increasing environmental awareness the demand to reduce noise and vibrations increases. Fabreeka is an established partner in this field. The company has developed and supplied solutions against transformer vibration and for transformer noise isolation for decades as well as consulting customers all over the world in finding the right products for pipe isolation, gas compressor isolation and the isolation of components of wind turbines.

 

Turbines, transformers or pipes equipped with Fabreeka products perform more efficiently and have a longer life while work crews can operate in safer, quieter environments. Fabreeka components help protect these important systems during their extended use in often very harsh environments by isolating vibrations and protecting people.

 

Oil and Gas

 

A major problem facing companies with gas transmission and petrochemical piping is fatigue failures caused by vibration. High frequency, namely ultrasonic and hypersonic gas pulsations at natural gas transmission line compressor stations, causes metal fatigue in piping, supports and pipe clamps. To eliminate excessive vibration, a properly designed mechanical restraint is required.

 

The application of Fabreeka Preformed fabric pad with high damping within these mechanical restraints can provide isolation of piping vibrations, thermal flexibility, and reduction of unwanted noise and prevent non-uniform clamp contact pressure. Fabreeka Pad is available in a range of thicknesses to accommodate any design application and is available with a PTFE Teflon® surface for thermal expansion and insulation for high temperatures. To allow thermal expansion without fatiguing piping and clamps, Fabreeka expansion bearings are often fitted under pipes.

 

In line with the need of pipe and gas compressor isolation, vibration is also present on drilling rigs. Created by mud pumps, compressors, generators and other rotating equipment, the vibration from the equipment is transmitted to the decks on the rig. Fabreeka provides isolation materials for drilling rig equipment to make the rig as quiet as possible and reduce structure fatigue.

 

Power Generation

 

For decades, Fabreeka isolation materials have been used to control structure-borne vibration and noise generated from power and distribution transformers and reactors. With alternative energy generation on the rise, Fabreeka pads, Fabcel pads and isolation washers and bushings are now widely used in wind turbines to provide vibration isolation under gear boxes and generators. Fabreeka isolation products are also the material of choice to prevent metal to metal contact on rotating parts with the rotors to reduce wear and fatigue.

 

Moreover, Fabreeka engineers work with consultants who design power generation facilities involving steam and gas turbine foundation isolation and other turbo-machinery vibration attenuation requirements.

 

When it comes to transformer noise isolation and vibration isolation, engineers can choose from a variety of standard vibration isolation mounts for small transformers that may weigh up to 10,000 lbs. Fabreeka also offers custom solutions for large transformers in transformer yards. They all have in common that they reduce noise and vibration for both single phase and three-phase transformers and protect concrete from fatigue due to vibration. Another benefit is the reduction of noise by 3 to 5 dB on average which may be increased to a reduction of 8 dB depending on transformer configuration.

 

For turbine vibration isolation as well as for engine generator isolation countless clients in many countries have chosen Fabreeka pad, Fabreeka washers and bushings and Fabcel pad. Foundation isolation products such as FAB-EPM, FAB-EFP and Fabsorb are also in use for the isolation of engine generators. For the latter turnkey solutions are available, including demolition, foundation design and concrete construction.
Transportation

 

Vibration and shock are common in every field of transportation. Whether commuters or travelers go by train, bus or by car, people are inevitably exposed to vibrations of considerable magnitude in vertical and lateral directions. The most affected people by vibration are the train engineers and bus drivers. To protect them and, more importantly, their passengers and to find suitable rail car isolation, design engineers work with Fabreeka to determine the isolation products which are ideal solutions to reduce impact and shock vibration.

 

Fabreeka products can also play an important role to prevent significant damages to the transported equipment and goods. As online commerce thrives and more and more goods are transported daily by trucks and railroad, vibration and shock loads are generated and protective solutions are in demand.

 

 

Railroad and Rail Cars

 

Vibration and noise resulting from wheel rail loads can be easily transmitted through the vehicle journal boxes and springs and into the vehicle body. Fabreeka Pad and SA-47 have been used for rail car isolation in the suspension of rail car for decades.

 

Pads are used on top and bottom of coil springs, top of journal boxes and under truck side bearings and spring planks. Fabreeka pad can also be used as a wear plate on the bolster or transom.

 

To provide rail support, Fabreeka pad can be used in many locations under the rails and also under the rail chair. The applications are varied and include bridge masonry plate pads, bridge rail end lock support pads, ballast-less bridge deck pads, tie plate pads and pads at crossings.

 

Once a suitable solution is installed, there are many benefits. Working with Fabreeka ensures proper distribution of loads over the entire bearing area and also reduces wear between steel to steel and steel to concrete, resulting in better protection, less impacts, more efficiency and a longer rail life. Absorbing shock and vibration also can significantly reduce noise and the need for maintenance.

 

Vehicles

 

Numerous Fabreeka products are used on many different types of vehicles. A common solution, for instance, is to use Fabcel pad or DIMFAB when mounting motors and other components to ships to isolate the equipment effectively from damaging vibrations. Fabreeka pad also works well as a suspension system in military trucks and can easily be fitted or retro-fitted to suspensions and moving components in farm equipment.

KEY FEATURES/BENEFITS

  • Withstands compressive load up to 7,000 psi
  • Evenly distributes load between two structural elements
  • Accommodates non-parallel, load bearing surfaces
  • Allows for small rotations
  • Meets most DOT and federal specifications for reinforced elastomeric pads and masonry pads
  • Effective temperature range is 0°F to 180°F
  • Impervious to most oils, steam, water, mildew and brine

SA-47 bearing pads are made from masticated rubber using a blend of recycled rubber compounds and synthetic fiber reinforcement. The random oriented fibers, or ROF, provide enhanced compressive strength, stiffness and tensile strength when compared to unreinforced bearing pad materials.

Fabreeka’s SA-47 bearing pads provide compensation for surface irregularities and non-parallel load bearing surfaces in precast concrete structures and bridges. These masticated rubber, random oriented fiber pads have been widely used in construction applications such as structural bearings, masonry pads and railway tie pads. SA-47 pads can also be used for vibration isolation and impact shock reduction applications.

FAQS

Can the SA-47 bearing pad material be cut to size in the field? Yes, if configured with care by using a band saw with a fine tooth, narrow angle saw blade configuration.
Can holes or slots be cut in the field? Yes. Holes or slots can be cut in the field using a narrow angle, fine tooth hole saw.
How is SA-47 material different from the Fabreeka pad material? SA-47 pad material has a lower durometer (80 duro).
What adhesive should I use to affix SA-47 pad to concrete or steel? Fabreeka recommends our #700 epoxy adhesive.