ABSTRACT
In this chapter the problems associated with determining the influence of a machine’s supporting structure are discussed. These issues are particularly associated with very large machines and the chapter reports studies on several methods by which properties can be inferred from measured plant data. This involves the application of techniques from control theory and while these methods are still at the research stage, there have now been promising applications to working plant. Direct modeling of the structures does not yield adequate results and the reasons for this are explained. The text then explains the alternative formulations of the calculations and explains some of the difficulties of inverse problems. Applying this approach, the engineer may use plant data to determine, the foundation parameters, the state of balance, bearing loads, and, depending on the installed instrumentation, the bearing condition. The chapter concludes with an outline of how an appropriate scheme would be implemented.
