Why do I need to grout?
/Grout is the effective conduit transferring unwanted vibrations form the equipment to the foundation. A good epoxy grout is a vital component for vibration transfer.
Grout is the effective conduit transferring unwanted vibrations form the equipment to the foundation. A good epoxy grout is a vital component for vibration transfer.
A cement gout is good for static loads only. Cement will not resist any lateral or horizontal forces.
You can reduce vibration in the equipment by properly transferring the vibration out of the machine to a properly sized foundation. This should be done through use of epoxy grout material.
A monolithic structure is one that operates as a whole. When epoxy grout is placed between concrete and a steel base plate, a monolithic structure is formed.
Vibration cannot jump or be transferred across an air gap. It is important to have a positive bond between the foundation and the baseplate. This can only be done with epoxy grout systems.
The means of transmitting vibration is the epoxy grout. Epoxy grout acts as the conduit to transfer vibration from the equipment to the foundation where it can be dissipated.
Assuming the concrete is properly cured, grout can be poured after all concrete laitance is removed.
A concrete foundation should be prepared for grout by removing all laitance with a chipping hamper with a chisel bit.
A foundation should be between 65°F to 90°F to install grout. Having the right temperature is important to ensure proper flow, adhesion and cure of the grout material.
Remove all laitance with a chipping hammer.
Make sure the concrete is properly hydrated.
Be sure the concrete is free of any oil or contaminants.
A cover may be necessary to protect a foundation from sun, wind and rain.
The foundation should be completely enclosed and provided with a heat source to raise the entire foundation and equipment to a temperature above 65°F for 48 hours prior to and after a grout pour.
It is unacceptable to sand blast a foundation in preparation for grout. Preparation will need to be done with chipping hammers. A chipping hammer will properly profile the foundation and remove the laitance layer.
The maximum height of a foundation should allow a minimum of one and a half inches for grout placement.
When a large area of epoxy grout is poured, it is recommended to install expansion joints to reduce the possibility of the grout cracking.
The purpose of an expansion joint is to engineer a controlled crack in the epoxy grout to reduce the possibility of random cracking, when machinery to grout temperature differentials of 50°F are encountered.
When a large area of epoxy grout is poured, it is recommended to install expansion joints to reduce the possibility of the grout cracking.
If you do not install expansion joints on a large enough grout pour, the grout is more likely to crack. This does not mean it has failed, however, you need to fill the crack to prevent any liquids from reaching the foundation.
When you get a crack in the epoxy grout you will need to seal up the crack with expansion joint material or a silicone caulk (RTV) to prevent liquids from getting to the foundation.
An anchor bolt pocket needs to be dry prior to the bolt being grouted.