When you manage a building project, there are many aspects of the project that must be considered, and often, balanced against each other. There is the initial planning stage, where the plans are drawn up and permits are granted. When the project progresses to the building stage, you may have to manage construction workers and engage with suppliers. You must also ensure that all the stakeholders are informed of the project progress. Another aspect of the project which you may not have considered is the way the building work will affect those living and working nearby. You may have thought about the amount of noise the building will make but have you taken steps to determine how much vibration will be generated by your work?
Why does vibration matter?
Construction vibration monitoring is required on both building and demolition sites since vibration may not be as immediately apparent as noise but can seriously affect both people and buildings in the vicinity of the work. Construction vibration monitoring helps to ensure that buildings near the construction site do not suffer structural damage from the vibration. The vibration must not reach a level that will impact the working lives of others nearby.
There are occasionally locations where even a very low, legal level of vibration from nearby work might be a problem. If an impact cannot be avoided, people should be aware of the likelihood of vibration and plan accordingly. Examples include operating theatres or a microsurgery suite. Knowing what happens in the vicinity of your building project will help you understand the concerns of your neighbours and avoid problems throughout the construction process.
How is vibration monitored?
There is a wide range of construction vibration monitoring solutions available. Depending on the nature of your building project, you could opt for a static monitoring solution that will gather data over an extended period or something more portable that can be brought to the site for a few days while a particular activity is ongoing. You might be conducting the demolition of an existing structure that will be finished in a couple of days or driving in piles for a large commercial centre, which will take weeks or months to finish. To identify the best construction vibration monitoring equipment, talk to your supplier. They can guide you through the available options.
What else is involved in the process?
Monitoring vibration is important, but you must still physical check the situation on the ground. Construction vibration monitoring is frequently accompanied by crack inspections before and after work has been carried out. These inspections allow the team to assess whether any damage has been caused by their construction work.
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