Whether caused by blasting, construction or machinery, outside vibration affects structures in various ways. Even low-level vibration within the natural frequency range of a structure may cause motion detrimental to internal equipment and influence the ability to use the facility as designed. When you're talking about sensitive hospital equipment or school buildings, the need for vibration isolation is critical. GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech's expertise can measure the existing vibration, evaluate the levels and then provide guidance and engineering or engineering support to design foundations and support to isolate sensitive equipment.
GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech provides expert evaluations of structure response to identify and isolate vibration effects upon sensitive hospital equipment and similarly-critical facilities and equipment. When evaluating floor response for a new school, we simulated the students, desks and other equipment to make sure floor response was minimized. Modification of the isolation for the structure was completed to meet design standards. Stiffening the floor brackets solved the issue and allowed the new school to open.
Where blasting occurs, high-level vibration has the ability to change existing foundation support. For these projects, evaluation of critical structures prior to blasting helps identify problem areas, key locations for protection and modification of blasting patterns to reduce impacts. Attention to these details limits claims of damage and may reduce insurance liability.