Building Vibration Control

Farrat design and manufacture a comprehensive range of ever improving standard and bespoke products; ranging from individual Acoustic Bearings through to complete Building Isolation Systems.

We work across several construction categories including Leisure, Urban Living, Commercial, Education and Healthcare. Ensuring both new builds and refurbishment projects are designed and constructed with effective vibration isolation in place. Whilst considering the quality of life of those working and living around the development.

Proper structural design plays a crucial role in mitigating vibrations.

This involves considering factors such as building materials, structural stiffness, and damping properties to minimise the amplification of vibrations. Rigidity in structural elements, such as columns and beams, can help reduce the propagation of vibrations through the building.

Base isolation is a technique that involves decoupling the building from its foundation or the ground to minimise the transmission of vibrations. This is achieved by introducing isolators, such as rubber bearings or elastomeric pads, between the building and the foundation. Base isolation systems allow the building to move independently during vibrations, reducing the transfer of energy and vibrations to the structure.

Building Vibration Isolation System

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Vibrations within the building

Vibration damping materials and techniques are used to absorb and dissipate vibrations within the building. These materials, such as viscoelastic dampers or vibration-damping coatings, convert vibrational energy into heat, reducing the amplitude and propagation of vibrations. They can be applied to structural elements, equipment, or building components to minimise vibrations.

Plant or equipment that generates vibrations such as air-conditioning units and service generators should be isolated from the building structure. This can be achieved by using resilient mounts, such as rubber pads or spring isolators, to separate the equipment from the surrounding structure and minimise the transfer of vibrations.

Sound insulation and absorption materials can help reduce vibrations and noise within the building.

Acoustic treatments, such as acoustic panels, suspended ceilings, or wall insulation, absorb sound waves and minimise their reflection, thus reducing the perception of vibrations and noise.

Damping systems, such as tuned mass dampers or viscoelastic dampers, can be incorporated into the building to actively reduce vibrations.

These systems introduce additional masses or damping elements that counteract the vibrations and prevent resonance effects. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the building’s structural integrity and equipment are crucial to identify and address any emerging vibration issues.This includes inspections, alignments, and lubrication of machinery, as well as periodic checks of structural elements to ensure their stability and performance.

Design Support

Our design principles and products provide an adaptable and flexible way of incorporating vibration control into building structures, with the aim to achieve the best combined system performance of load bearing capacity, structural integrity, vibration control and buildability.

The success of a building isolation project is not just reliant on the performance of the isolation bearings but requires consideration of the entire building design including:

Structural modelling to achieve an integrated design between the structure and the isolation bearings
Robust structural design to take disproportionate collapse and column effective length into account
Effective structural and architectural detailing of all interfaces between isolated and non-isolated elements which may be structural internal fit out or services
A construction methodology that minimises risk, time and cost

Contractor Support

Our products are designed for maximum performance whilst at the same time being practical and quick to install. Contractors receive a complete support service throughout the product lifecycle:

Guidance on overall building design and construction
Delivering the right products to site at the right time
Planning and co-ordination with the contractor to ensure products can be unloaded from the delivery wagon and efficiently transported to the work area
Clear installation schedules and product labelling and to ensure the correct products are placed in the correct locations
Well thought through installation methodologies that take into account location specific constraints
Clear and comprehensive installation instructions and drawings
Installation briefings, on-site support and inspections

All we need to start the process is; Acoustic/Vibration Specification, Relevant Structural and Architectural Drawings, Column and Core Vertical Loadings*/**

* ideally in Excel format, provided as Dead Load, Super-imposed dead Load and Live Load with location plan drawings.
** We will consider horizontal loadings, but only once the vertical bearings have been designed.

The Farrat specialist floating floor system being installed in Claridge's Art Deco ballroom