As the building and construction industry faces escalating urban
density, natural environmental concerns and proximity to cultural
heritage areas such as schools and hospitals, controlling construction
vibration can be a nightmare.
Complaints from neighbours, council restrictions, crippling project
budgets, and damage to adjacent buildings are some of the common impacts
from
vibration issues.
Now an innovative product called
Expando has provided a solution for these difficult sites.
Expando
– a non-toxic expansive mortar is the ideal solution to crack rocks and
concrete without the headache of vibration issues typical of
traditional demolition and rock removal methods.
Expando is a non explosive demolition agent with an
impressive 14,000 PSI expansive strength that will simplify the process
of cutting and breaking rocks or concrete and takes the risk out of
difficult excavation, trenching or demolition work.
By using
Expando, you can save thousands of dollars and
achieve your demolition objectives without having to hire expensive
experts or specialised equipment like excavators, jackhammers, concrete
saws or use explosive blasting.
Why is vibration an important issue?
Construction vibration levels are set by regulatory authorities such as
each state’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Standards Australia
and local councils*.
The need for such regulation arises as construction equipment (including
pile drivers, jackhammers, dump trucks, dozers, excavators and concrete
saws) can operate in very close proximity to residential and commercial
premises, sometimes for extended daily hours and for some projects, in
excess of two to three years. If vibrations are a potential problem,
councils may require a dilapidation report on neighbouring properties as
part of DA approval.
If vibration levels from construction are too high, then people residing
or working nearby may take action or involve councils to restrict
construction activities, especially if it can be demonstrated that
levels exceed acceptable limits set by relevant standards and
regulations. As such, construction vibration can threaten a project's
schedule and budget if not adequately addressed.
Vibration – Some of the impacts
Neighbour Complaints due to Human Disturbance
Vibration can potentially impact on an individual’s quality of life or
work efficiency. This is especially true for project sites within close
proximity to residential or cultural heritage areas such as schools and
hospitals.
The vibration criteria for human disturbance tends to be more stringent
than for effects on building contents and building structural damage.
The table below shows vibration limits for normal construction
activities to protect human comfort based on NSW EPA's guidelines. These
human comfort limits are intended to minimise annoyance and are below
levels required for the prevention of structural damage to buildings
(because people can feel vibration at lower levels than what is required
to cause damage to buildings and contents)and as such, are considered
suitable for use in general assessments.
Table 1 – NSW EPA Vibration Limits to Protect Human Comfort (rms)*
|
Place
|
Time
|
Continuous Vibration
|
Intermittent Vibration
|
Residential
|
Day
|
0.2mm/s
|
6.0mm/s
|
|
Night
|
0.14mm/s
|
2.0mm/s
|
Offices
|
Day
|
0.4mm/s
|
12.7mm/s
|
|
Night
|
0.4mm/s
|
12.7mm/s
|
Workshops
|
Day
|
0.8mm/s
|
12.7mm/s
|
|
Night
|
0.8mm/s
|
12.7mm/s
|
Below are some commonly used indicative minimum buffer distances to
avoid human discomfort during the day. However, please note that as
vibration level depends on many factors and is site specific, these
should be used as a general guide only.
Table 2: Suggested Minimum Bugger Distances to Avoid Human Discomfort*
|
Activity/ Equipment Type
|
Min. Distance
|
Rock breaker (small – large)
|
5m – 15m
|
Pulverisor 30 tonne
|
4m
|
Bulldozers
|
5m
|
Vibratory rollers (light – heavy)
|
5m – 25m
|
Truck movements
|
10m
|
Sheet piling
|
50m
|
Structural damage to buildings
Construction in dense urban settings can result in damage to adjacent
structures. Even the most careful planning and implementation can result
in damage if adjacent buildings are fragile or especially susceptible
to vibration due to demolition and other construction activities.
Currently no Australian Standard exists for assessment of building
damage caused by vibrational, however as a guide, the German standard
DIN 4150 - Part 3 Structural vibration in buildings – Effects on
Structures provides “safe limits” up to which no damage due to vibration
effects has been observed for particular classes of buildings.
Table 3: Minimum Safe Limits of Vibration to Reduce Likelihood of Building Damage (rms)*
|
Building Type
|
Intermittent Vibration
|
Commercial & Industrial
|
20mm/s
|
Dwellings
|
5mm/s
|
Sensitive Structures (eg. historical with preserve orders, etc)
|
3mm/s
|
British Standard BS7385: Part 2 Evaluation and measurement of vibration
in buildings also sets standards for assessing the likelihood of
building damage from vibration.
Reduce construction vibration – Buy Expando today
When
construction vibration is an issue for demolition
and excavation work in residential settings or sites within close
proximity to cultural heritage areas such as schools and hospitals,
Expando is the ideal solution for you.
Expando is a
non explosive demolition agent that cracks rocks and concrete without the need for blasting or heavy equipment like excavators, jackhammers or concrete saws.
Buy
Expando now via our
secure online shop, delivered anywhere around Australia. For more information on
Expando expansive mortar please
contact us.