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 – controlling construction vibration issues is critical.
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.
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Table 1 – NSW EPA Vibration Limits to Protect Human Comfort (rms)* |
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|
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.
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Table 2: Suggested Minimum Bugger Distances to Avoid Human Discomfort* |
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|
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.
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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.
Control construction vibration – Buy Expando today
When controlling 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.