What Can Structural Engineers Do to Address the Problem of Floor Vibrations?

Floor vibrations are becoming an increasingly important design challenge as more buildings are constructed (or remodeled) to contain vibration-sensitive occupancies. Some examples are fitness gyms, dance floors, biotech research facilities, micro- and nano-scale manufacturing facilities, medical occupancies (such as MRI, CAT scan, and micro-surgery suites), and data centers. In addition, building owners and tenants have developed a heightened awareness of, and lower tolerance for, floor vibrations that can be felt by humans. Thus, as structural engineers, we are now frequently called upon to design, or renovate, buildings to meet specific floor vibration criteria. This presentation provides an overview of what is common practice for limiting floor vibrations. The following topics will be addressed during the web seminar:

Code Requirements: Does 2015 IBC Section 1604.3 help with floor vibrations?
Who uses ASCE 7-10 Appendix C (Serviceability Considerations)?
Structural vibration criteria
Equipment and methods used to make field measurements of structural vibrations, particularly floor vibrations
General approaches for vibration design (or evaluation) of floor systems, including practical limitations of some existing analytical methods

Register here.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.