Appendix V Recommended Vibration Criteria To Avoid Building Damage - Profound VIBRA Series Manual

Appendix V Recommended vibration criteria to avoid building damage
Vibration damage to a building depends on the state and properties of a building, such as:
1. Soil properties and geotechnical data
2. Foundation type
3. Type of structural system: main bearing structure/non-bearing elements
4. Age and (historic or cultural) value
5. State of the building
Structural categories
Some building categories have been classified to determine which buildings or parts of buildings can be
safely exposed to vibration. The classification accounts for the risk of damage as well and are described
in detail in DIN 4150.
Relevant vibration data
Peak value
The probability of structural damage from vibrations is related to the vibration velocity peak value. Several
damage mechanisms are possible and thus vibrations limits are usually stated in codes limiting the
vibration velocity peak value. A vibration signal's peak value is the largest positive or negative deviation
from the zero level during the measuring period (see ISO 2041:1982).
Dominant frequency
Vibration limits can depend on frequency and thus the dominant frequency must also be determined.
Different governing codes
German standard (DIN 4150 part 1 and 2)
The German standard DIN 4150 part 1 was published in June 2001, part 2 in June 1999. It contains limits
to the peak velocity measured at the foundation level for three types of frequency dependent buildings.
For more details you can consult this code, available in German and English at the website
of the Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.
Dutch codes (SBR and CUR)
The Dutch Foundation for Building Research (SBR) code for measuring and judging vibration damage to
buildings, SBR 2, has been republished in 2002. Please read for more details the SBR code, available at
www.sbr.nl
Another useful Dutch code was published in 1972 in CUR report 57. The limits are considered safe
(according to present knowledge) and, thus, if peak values do not exceed the limits, no damage to the
building or building parts will occur. For more details please read the code.
British code
The British standard BS 7385 part 2 was published in 1993. It contains limits to the peak velocity for two
types of frequency dependent buildings. Consult the code for more details.
International standard ISO 4866
The international standard ISO 4866 was published in 1987. This code gives an extensive method for
making inventory studies into vibration measurements and assessing the influence of vibrations on
buildings. The code does not contain a streamlined measurement method or fixed limits for vibrations. It is
recommended, however, as a reference document for interest.
Manual Profound VIBRA-series, version 2.00
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