Vibration

ACCON UK is able to provide a wide range of services related to vibration which include:

Ground-borne vibration can be generated by a number of sources, including road and rail transportation systems, construction activities, blasting, tunnelling and the operation of various types of machinery. Vibration can also result in re-radiated noise from tunnels particularly where no mitigation design has been implemented.

Its effect on buildings may, in the extreme, cause varying degrees of cosmetic or structural damage, or can result in affects to machinery or equipment that may be vibration-sensitive e.g. electron microscopes etc.

Vibration impacts on people may include disturbance or annoyance or, at higher levels, affect a person’s ability to work.

ACCON’s measurement capabilities allow us to monitor and assess vibration and ground-borne noise from numerous sources and to advise on potential methods of mitigation. We are also able to determine whether for new development the impacts of existing or planned sources of vibration will be acceptable for occupiers of new property.

Certain construction activities (in particular some piling techniques), especially when in close proximity to occupied property or historic buildings can generate very high levels of vibration. Anticipated vibration levels can be predicted and mitigation methods can be recommended in order to ensure that any impacts are appropriately minimised, reducing the risk to the construction programme. This is particularly important where the possession of land for construction has to be programmed many months in advance e.g. for railway construction activities.

We can where required provide tailored monitoring solutions, including long-term unattended systems linked to visual, aural and SMS alarms for ensuring compliance against vibration limits.

Our personnel are involved in a number of research activities related to vibration from transportation, industrial premises and construction activities and therefore are able to maintain an up-to-date understanding of vibration, its effects and any newly mitigation methods.