You’ll be doing at least one of these operations if you’re planning or working on a construction or remodelling project: blasting, excavation, compaction, hoe ramming, pile driving, and demolition. While each is unique, they all have one thing in common: they all produce vibrations.
In most circumstances, construction operations do not create enough vibration to cause damage. However, they may and do create complaints from surrounding property owners and people. Neighbours may allege that your construction project is to blame for its structural problems. This is especially true when a project is met with opposition from the local population. These are some of the reasons why construction vibration monitoring device are used.
There are also more reasons to consider these services.
1. Vibration levels are measured using a standard scale
It’s hard to estimate vibrations solely from a person’s description since everyone perceives vibrations differently. Vibration levels and their potential to cause structural damage are poorly predicted by human perception. Using construction vibration monitoring sensors such as a seismograph to detect and record vibrations created by construction operations is the only way to reliably assess vibration levels. A seismograph captures the vibrations’ temporal history as well as their related parameters, such as peak particle velocity (PPV) and frequency. This information may then be compared to published structural damage criteria to see if vibration levels are high enough to cause structural damage.
2. Evidence in the event of lawsuits
Many old structures are riddled with fractures and other visual flaws. People typically don’t notice existing fractures or other anomalies until neighbouring construction begins. They ascribe the cracks to building operations, which isn’t always correct. Vibration monitoring is considerably more valuable when utilized in conjunction with a pre-construction condition study of neighbouring structures that captures existing fractures and indicators of distress with images and/or video recordings. If a damage claim is made, the photographic record of the existing circumstances before construction can be utilized in conjunction with vibration monitoring data to successfully deny the claim.
3. Project predictability
Construction projects may be either predictable or unexpected, based on the precautions taken for the project. Vibration monitoring services aid in the reduction of project uncertainty by allowing the particular time and location when the prediction may fail to be identified and then changing either the execution of the forecast itself.
4. Management of risks
Vibration monitoring is also a great way to control risks and communicate with the public. Vibration monitoring during construction serves as a goodwill gesture to neighbours, demonstrating that their concerns are being handled.
5. Monitoring in real-time
Another advantage is that vibration-producing construction operations can be halted if they exceed published or project-specific restrictions, thanks to established actionable vibration limits and real-time vibration monitoring data. This sort of monitoring method has the potential to avoid damage.
6. Preventative actions
Vibration levels should be addressed if construction activities are to be done near existing buildings, houses, historic structures, or sensitive equipment. While some projects include vibration requirements in their specifications, the majority do not. By evaluating vibration issues before a project begins, it is possible to design an adequate monitoring strategy and solve vibration concerns in a proactive manner. Vibration monitoring services can safeguard the project from needless lawsuits while also preventing vibration harm to nearby houses.