PERMISSIBLE LEVELS OF VIBRATION IN BUILDINGS

Evelyn Ramírez, Estiven Torres, Robinson Tunay, Mercy Oviedo, Marjorie García,

Fernando Peñafiel, Ronal Espejo.

Higher Technological Institute Ab. Martha Bucaram de Roldós

ISPEDIB Martha Bucaram de Roldós, Technology in Measurement and

Environmental Monitoring

Nueva Loja, Sucumbíos, Ecuador

2018
 Contenido
THEME .......................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................3

SUMMARY..................................................................................................................4

GOALS .......................................................................................................................5

PERMISSIBLE LEVELS OF VIBRATIONS IN BUILDINGS. .................................................6

RECOMMENDATIONS. .................................................................................................8

BIBLIOGRAPHY. .........................................................................................................8
Theme

Permissible levels of vibration in buildings

Introduction

Currently the population development and its increase, affects the construction of

buildings, as well as means of transport, in order to meet their needs, without taking into

account that all that leads to greater exposure to risks produced by physical agents,

among the that the vibrations are found.

Due to this condition, regulations for the control and prevention related to the

damages produced by this agent have been implemented.

Fundamentally, these vibrations are very small amplitude and periods between 0.10s

and 10s. These vibrations in buildings are divided into two categories: Those that arise

from internal sources and those that arise from external sources.

Most of the vibrations generated inside a building (internal sources) are caused by

machines (elevators, fans, appliances, etc.) To this are added the activities of people

(walking, jumping, dancing, running).

By external sources, vibrations are commonly generated by traffic on the road or

trains, underground, construction activities (explosion, excavation and compaction of

soils, drilling of pipes, heavy machinery, etc.), roars of sound, strong winds , and

earthquakes.
Summary

The action of vibrations on buildings is composed of one of the agents causing

damage to them. The heavy machinery for construction in operation generates

vibrations that in works near buildings are observed by its inhabitants and the same

building. The levels of perception of people and buildings are in very different

thresholds; In most cases, medium levels of human perception are in very low ranges of

perception of the building that will not affect its functionality and performance.

In the scope of application according to the TECHNICAL STANDARD THAT

REGULATES THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE

DISTURBANCES GENERATED BY VIBRATIONS it is of obligatory fulfillment

for all the activities and industrial installations, commercial and of services,

constructions and buildings that imply environmental contamination generated by

vibrations, as well as any individual or collective behavior that, even when not

specifically expressed in this standard, evidences the production of vibrations that affect

human well-being or generate environmental pollution. In addition, it establishes that

vibrations related to the work environment regulated by the Workers' Health and Safety

Regulations are exempt from the scope of this regulation; that is, with occupational

safety and health, as well as road construction. Therefore, the following are excluded

from the application of this norm: the competencies of the Ministry of Health and the

Ministry of Labor, respectively, as well as the functions of the Ecuadorian Social

Security Institute.

(RAMÍREZ, 2013)
Goals

 Know the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to vibrations.

 Obtain data in real conditions under the dynamic behavior of a structure

 Try to prevent activities in areas or places where vibrations are outside the

permissible levels.

Theoretical framework.

Basic considerations.

The parameters of main importance in the vibrations of the structures are the natural

frequency, the modes of vibration and the damping.

The natural frequencies of a building are those in which the continuous free

oscillations occur after the impact has stopped, the structure assumes a way of vibrating

in the natural frequency. When a frequency of the excitation coincides or is close to the

natural frequency of the structure, it can result in large amplitudes of vibration. This is

called resonance, and in general it should be avoided.

The damping capacity is the ability to absorb vibration energy. This ability is

inherent in all materials to varying degrees. Thus, components or buildings that have a

low damping capacity tend to vibrate more than those with high capacity.

(Campos, 2017)
Measurement of vibrations.

Vibrations are defined by their intensity and frequency. The instrument to measure

vibrations is the vibrometer, just as happens with the noise a series of weighting filters

are needed capable of measuring complex accelerations and transforming them into a

value, taking into account the most harmful ones for the human organism.

The accelerometer is what in noise would be equivalent to a microphone, and it

should be placed in the contact zone of the organism with the element that transmits the

vibrations, there are vibrometers that perform the measurements in the three orthogonal

axes; those who do not have this option should take three consecutive measurements on

each axis.

To be able to compare with the reference values, the exposure time weighted at 8 h

must be taken into account. Finally, we must remember that, even without reaching the

limit values established in RD 1311/2005, vibrations can cause discomfort and

discomfort, affect the sense of touch, interfere with grip, increase the risk of

musculoskeletal disorders, etc.

(Campos, 2017)

Permissible levels of vibrations in buildings.

No equipment or installation can transmit the vibration levels higher than those

indicated below to the solid elements that make up the structure of the receiving

enclosure.

(5 T. L.)
 TABLE 1

VIBRATION TRANSITION LIMIT

USE OF BUILDING PERIOD BASE CURVE

Hospitable; Educational Day. 1

and Religious. Night. 1

Day.
Residential. 2
Night.
1,4

Day.
Offices. 4
Night.
4

Day.
Commercial. 8
Night.
8

(5 T. L.)

Conclusions

Not all buildings have the same vibration mode, but each of them has a distinctive

period of vibration.

The vibrations not only affect the buildings, but also puts in serious danger to the

health of the human being and other living beings to be exposed for a long time.
Recommendations.

Do not be exposed to vibrations beyond the established limits, and use the

appropriate PPE when doing so.

Use anti-seismic construction materials under the recommendation of an architect.

Do not elevate unauthorized constructions or without the regulation of an architect in

areas prone to vibrations such as highways, railroad crossings, airports or industrial

zones.

Bibliography.

5, T. L. (s.f.). Obtenido de http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/ecu112184.pdf

Campos, A. V. (21 de 01 de 2017). Obtenido de

http://edificacionesdecalidad.com/content/estudios-de-vibraci%C3%B3n-

ambiental-en-edificaciones-existentes

RAMÍREZ, J. A. (2013). ESTIMACIÓN DEL RIESGO DE DAÑO DEBIDO A

VIBRACIONES POR MAQUINARIA PESADA. SANTIAGO DE CALI:

UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE.