Construction Vibrations

Publications

Review of the Codes and Standards for Noise and Vibration Investigations in Buildings

How does Exponent's multidisciplinary approach help you understand the damage caused by machine vibrations and construction?

Construction activities like pile driving, blasting, breaking pavement, and vibratory fill compaction produce strong vibration levels that can cause damage to nearby structures.

Gauging the total effect of construction-related vibrations requires a full assessment of site characteristics and construction activities, vibration amplitude, and damage mechanisms. Exponent's multidisciplinary investigative process applies mechanical, structural, and civil engineering expertise and includes establishing baseline conditions, assessing vibration sources and paths, analyzing the scale of vibrations on structures and soils, conducting a damage assessment, and, finally, consulting on recommended repairs.

Cutting-edge research and tools

Exponent uses a modular data acquisition system to record and monitor construction vibrations that can be adapted to the client's specific needs, collecting and processing data from signals sent via wired or wireless connections. Exponent can also integrate video cameras, microphones, and sensors, including accelerometers, geophones, tiltmeters, hygrometers, and thermometers into the data acquisition system.

Summary of Services

For 50+ years, we've thrived on solving unstructured problems that require bespoke solutions. Some of our services include:

- Establish baseline conditions before construction activities
- Assess sources of vibrations
- Assess vibration paths
- Analyze the magnitude and zone of influence of vibrations on both structures and supporting soils
- Determine the types and extent of damage to structures from vibrations
- Pre- and post-construction condition assessment surveys of buildings
- Pre-construction review of construction plans and activities
- Monitoring, recording, and evaluation of vibrations before and during construction
- Monitoring with geotechnical and structural instruments and equipment, including manometers, tiltmeters, slope inclinometers, strain gauges, and piezometers
- Damage assessment at adjacent properties
- Analysis of ambient ground vibrations
- Analysis of measured vibrations induced by construction activities
- Analysis of level survey data and geotechnical and structural instrumentation
- Data acquisition and monitoring system architecture

Experts

Our global and comprehensive expertise across industries gives us a deep understanding of current challenges, best industry practices, and the implications of emerging technologies.