Vibration Measurements

Most construction activities more or less generate vibrations, which, depending on their magnitude and the composition of the subsoil they pass into, can be transmitted to buildings in the vicinity. Sources for vibration and concussions may be demolition, compaction, shoring or support works or the traffic of heavy construction equipment.

Damages from these vibrations may then occur to nearby buildings, depending on the structural condition of the buildings. To be able to counteract possible damage claims it is essential to document the structural condition of nearby buildings, to provide legal evidence of existing damages before construction works begin. During ongoing construction works vibration levels should be monitored and checked against permissable levels for the buildings concerned.

For instance in DIN 4150-3 (German standard for the effects of vibrations on buildings) levels of vibration for different types of buildings are given, below which damages to these buildings are not to be expected. Our vibration measuring equipment is capable of providing continuous, gapless data on vibration levels over any timeline and can remotely send level-triggered messages via GSM. This feature enables corrective action to be taken before damages can result.

Bodenmechanisches labor Gumm can provide these services with its qualified team, utilising state-of-the-art civil-engineering vibration measurement equipment of the highest accuracy level, manufactured by SYSCOM of Switzerland.

Reference

Project:

Opernturm Frankfurt am Main

Client:

Zueblin Foundations

Service:

Monitoring vibration levels in buildings (banks, subway, opera) around the perimeter of the site

Timeline:

December 2006 to July 2007