Protecting existing buildings from external vibrations
When one plans to construct a building near a source of vibration, which could be a railroad, streetcar, subway or proximity to a busy vehicular road or even some of the more disruptive industrial plants, the matter is quite simple. At the design stage, provision can be made for the construction of an elastomeric bath under the foundations, thanks to which the perception of vibrations will be reduced. The construction of the building is safe, and the use of the building is comfortable.
However, what if the building is already standing, and the vibrations and secondary noise generated are a daily nuisance?
Legal acts on vibration protection issues include: "Environmental Protection Law", "Construction Law", "Law on Prevention of Damage to the Environment and its Remediation", or the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002 on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location (Journal of Laws No. 75 item 690, as amended, saying in § 11. 1. that:
A building with rooms for human occupancy should be erected outside the range of hazards and nuisances specified in separate regulations, but it is permissible to erect buildings in this range provided that technical measures are used to reduce the nuisance below the level established in thethese regulations or increasing the resistance of the building to these hazards and nuisances, if this does not contradict the conditions established for areas of limited use, specified in separate regulations. (2) The nuisances referred to in paragraph 1 include, in particular:
1) harmful radiation and the impact of electromagnetic fields,
2) noise and vibration (vibration); (...)
Regupol protects from vibrations coming from outside
© REGUPOL
According to most scientific studies, buildings located in close proximity are absolutely subject to vibrations:
- Up to 25 m from the axis of the railroad track (according to other studies even up to 40, 50 m)
- Up to 15 m from the axis of the tramway track or from the axis of the nearest vehicular road lane
- Up to 20 m from the source of vibrations caused by construction work.
Eliminating, reducing vibrations affects: health protection , protection of the substance of the building, technical equipment located in the building, meeting acoustic standards and comfort of use of premises
For investments located near sources of vibration, the solution is to use vibroacoustic mats from Regupol. Regupol BSW GmbH has specialized in the production of vibration isolation materials for many years The flexible materials Regupol® Vibration and Regufoam® Vibration are widely used in projects around the world as well as in Poland.
For optimal vibration protection, the company offers a total of 20 types of materials.
Vertical vibration isolation
Vertical vibration isolation is used for existing buildings. Vibration isolation is most often applied to external foundation walls parallel and perpendicular to the source of the resulting vibrations, such as trackways.
Installation of vertical vibration isolation Regupol Vibration 450
© REGUPOL
Increasingly, designers are opting for vertical vibration isolation of the foundations of existing buildings that are undergoing reconstruction. Due to the fact that new functions are increasingly appearing in station buildings: catering establishments, services, often conference rooms, libraries, residential premises and even mini-cinemas, the comfort of the building becomes such an important element. It should be remembered that vibration isolation additionally has the function of protecting the substance of the building from the destructive effects of vibrations, which is particularly important in the case of buildings under conservation supervision. Our products are trusted by designers, investors and contractors.
Vibration reduction is all the more effective the softer the material is dynamically, but at the same time it must be able to absorb the loads that occur. Regupol® elastomers with a constant load capacity of 120 kN/m2 maintain very good technical parameters. The material is also easy to install and possibly process.
The tailoring of the solution depends on various factors shaping the specific situation and is subject to individual selection. Regupol employees always provide technical assistance at the stage of design and selection of materials.
For more information, visit the company's REGUPOL BSW GmbH page on the A&B portal.
