In an increasingly urbanised world, managing vibration in residential and commercial buildings is more urgent than ever. At Quantum Acoustics, we recognise that uncontrolled vibrations can cause annoyance, hamper productivity, interfere with measurement or medical diagnostic equipment, harm human well-being and have the potential to cause cosmetic damage to buildings.>

Sources of Vibration Concerns:

- Proximity to rail and underground lines

- Gyms situated in multi-use buildings

- Industrial machinery with nearby noise-sensitive properties

- Construction activities such as piling and ground remediation.

What Exactly Are Building Vibrations?

Vibrations are rhythmic motions travelling through solid materials like steel, wood, or masonry. These can manifest in two distinct ways: tactile vibration (which can be physically felt by building occupants and which can cause annoyance and nausea along with psychological impacts when there is a fear that vibration is damaging property) and re-radiated noise (such as the audible low-frequency rumble of a passing tube train).

Guidance and Standards:

The UK's essential standards are BS 6472-1:2008 (when dealing with human comfort) and BS 5228-2:2009 (when dealing with construction vibration). The Association of Noise Consultants "Red Book" also offers helpful guidance for assessing re-radiated noise. When dealing with vibration at the planning stage of a project, the US Federal Transit Administration publication "Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual" provides invaluable assistance to support more complex modelling techniques. More detailed analysis is also likely required for medical facilities that house vibration-sensitive diagnostic equipment or sensitive industrial production processes, such as the manufacturing of semiconductors.

Measuring Vibrations:

Vibration is typically measured with a multi-channel real-time analyser and precision grade accelerometers or geophones. When dealing with the effects of vibration on buildings, measurements are typically made at the foundations of a building. When considering the impact of humans within facilities or vibration-sensitive equipment, the vibration needs to be assessed at the worst-case "point of entry" to the body of those that may experience vibration or mounting location of the equipment. This would typically be at the mid-span of a floor where the highest deflections of a building are likely. During the construction phase of development, measurements on foundations or pile caps can also provide data for corroborating design stage assumptions.

Mitigation:

The starting point is an accurate and detailed assessment of existing vibration levels. Where a source of vibration does not exist, we can undertake specialist modelling to determine potential future effects. We can then provide a collaborative mitigation response to assist your development in providing comfort for future occupants and ensure operational vibration limits for sensitive imaging/manufacturing processes are achieved. Short or long-term monitoring of vibration during construction works can also be provided to further assure the comfort of neighbouring residents and minimise the risks of cosmetic or structural building damage.

Need Expert Assistance?

Quantum Acoustics is your go-to for comprehensive vibration monitoring, surveys, and assessments. Let us assist you in designing a vibration-free future.

Contact our team