Levels and experience are guidelines based on topic-specific experience. All courses support foundational and advanced learning.

This course provides a practical approach to identifying, evaluating, and resolving piping vibration problems commonly encountered in process plants. Participants learn the fundamental causes of vibration, methods for assessing vibration severity, and practical engineering solutions using real-world case studies and industry guidance.

Identify common sources and mechanisms of piping vibration in process plants.

Evaluate vibration severity using simplified engineering methods and screening criteria.

Apply practical solutions to vibration problems involving pumps, surge, slug flow, acoustic resonance, and other excitation sources.

Understand when more rigorous vibration analyses are required and how industry guidance supports design decisions.

Apply lessons learned from real plant case studies to improve piping reliability and mechanical integrity.

Piping Vibration Analysis & Practical Engineering Solutions in Process Plants is designed for mechanical, piping, reliability, and inspection engineers responsible for the design, operation, troubleshooting, or maintenance of piping systems in process plants. The course is also beneficial for engineers seeking practical methods to diagnose and mitigate piping vibration issues.

1. Introduction to Piping Vibration
   Definitions, prevention objectives, vibration types, and when to address problems.
2. Mechanical Vibration Fundamentals
   Single- and multiple-degree-of-freedom systems; displacement, velocity, acceleration, damping, simplified analysis, stress evaluation, and screening.
3. Acoustic Resonance
   Fundamentals, system effects, EI and API 618 guidance, corrective actions, and examples.
4. Reciprocating Pump Vibration
   Suction and discharge effects, engineering solutions, and applications.
5. Surge and Hydraulic Transients
   Pressure, wave velocity, valve closure, thrust forces, vapor column collapse, and mitigation.
6. Slug Flow
   Fundamentals, flow-induced forces, applications, and corrective measures.
7. High-Frequency Vibration
   Acoustic resonance, acoustic fatigue, and vortex shedding.
8. Earthquake Effects
   Seismic experience and basic analysis methods.
9. Other Vibration Sources
   Cavitation, flashing, turbulence, non-condensable gases, wind, relief valves, expansion joints, and mechanical excitation.
10. Advanced Vibration Analysis
    OM-3 requirements and computer analysis methods.
11. Prevention and Corrective Measures
    EI and industry design guidance, piping restraints, alternative treatments, and severe cyclic service.
12. Practical Case Studies
    Field examples involving process, utility, pump, furnace, and cavitating Venturi systems.

Brad Moulton

Brad Moulton has over 25 years of experience in structural vibration and acoustics, including serving as ExxonMobil’s Principal Engineer in Acoustics and Vibration. His expertise spans piping vibration, equipment dynamics, fluid transients, and noise mitigation across industrial facilities worldwide. At Becht, he teaches practical piping vibration assessment and mitigation to support plant reliability and mechanical integrity. Brad is Vice Chair of the API 688 task force and a member of the API 579 Part 15 task force on piping vibration assessment. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with highest honors from Georgia Tech.

The training will be held in Houston, TX. The exact location will be announced by mid-November. Please check back for updates. If you purchase the class, you can find the hotel booking link under My Courses → (your course) → Resources once available