Why is foundation vibration isolation needed

Making sure the foundation of a building is sturdy and stable is one of the most important things to do when building. Maintaining the structural integrity of the entire building depends on a strong foundation. Vibration isolation is one feature of foundation design that is frequently disregarded, though.

Numerous things can cause vibration, including passing cars, machinery, and even natural occurrences like earthquakes. These vibrations have the ability to pass through the earth and affect a building’s foundation, which could eventually cause damage. We can extend the building’s life and drastically lower the risk of structural damage by putting vibration isolation measures in place.

Utilizing tools and materials intended to absorb and reduce vibrations is known as foundation vibration isolation. This procedure ensures a more sturdy and safe building by shielding it from the ongoing damage brought on by outside vibrations. Gaining an understanding of the significance of vibration isolation in the foundation can help building owners avoid expensive repairs and increase the overall durability of their buildings.

When vibration isolation is required

To begin with, vibrations can occur in buildings near railroads, tram tracks, and subway stations. In addition to causing soil movement, vehicles are a major source of noise pollution.

Dynamic loads cause vibrations in the soil, which transmits this impulse to buildings. In addition, vibrations very often become a source of so-called secondary noise. In this case, the level of soil displacement may be within the norm, but discomfort is still felt.

Practical! It is still possible for the house to require vibration insulation even if you do not live directly next to the railroad tracks. The truth is that a wide range of factors affect vibration level. For instance, the type of cement used to build the building’s foundation and the material from which the house is constructed both matter. The technology used to lay the rails themselves (if any are close by), the soil’s composition, and numerous other factors are also taken into consideration.

The vibration indicators may significantly surpass the standards-permitted threshold if the building is situated in close proximity to the railway. Frequently, there are situations where the indicators are raised by a factor of ten, or roughly 20 extra decibels.

Various engineering equipment that can be installed inside the building is another source of vibration. In this instance, it is crucial to consider factors that will cause vibration in addition to noise levels that exceed during the construction process. These kinds of systems include water supply communications, elevators, ventilation systems, and transformer substations. In this sense, vibration isolation might be necessary in a variety of circumstances.

Because it shields buildings from structural damage and ensures occupant comfort by lessening the impact of external vibrations, foundation vibration isolation is essential. If these vibrations are not properly isolated, they can weaken the foundation, create cracks, and result in long-term instability. They can originate from nearby construction, traffic, or industrial activities. Buildings can preserve the structural integrity of their construction and offer occupants a stable and quiet environment by putting into practice efficient vibration isolation techniques.

Types of vibration isolation structures

Under the foundation, specific supports are erected to protect the building from vibration. They are available in various varieties.

Full-plane

The simplicity of installation is the primary benefit of these supports. Additionally, there is almost no chance that so-called acoustic bridges will appear during the installation process. Typically, mats are placed between a building’s base and floor, or a concrete pad’s layers serve as the support. It is worthwhile to select the stiffest material for the support in order to get the greatest impact.

Dynamic loads, such as the building, are evenly distributed over the whole-plane support before being partially transferred to the base in equal shares. Another benefit is that there are no extra components needed for the installation of this type of structure, such as point or strip supports. However, the right amount of structural vibration protection is applied.

Strip

This type of support is appropriate if the loads are transferred linearly. Elastic material is positioned beneath a well-protected ceiling or in the foundation area (for instance, at the first or even second floor’s height). The second choice is more common because it allows you to save a lot of money on vibration-absorbing material.

There is no need to lay the material on the above-ground portion of the foundation in this instance because the basement and underground floors are still not vibration-free.

Spot

When a building is supported by independent pillars or has a pile foundation, this kind of vibration isolation is employed. But in order to proceed with this option, it is imperative to ascertain the material’s elasticity precisely.

Materials for vibration isolation

If at all feasible, experts recommend isolating the source rather than the vicinity of the vibration receiver. Nevertheless, this isn’t going to work in most cases. On a railroad, you wouldn’t begin installing vibration isolation beneath tram tracks. As a result, you must handle the issue on your own.

Naturally, vibration isolation needs to be installed from the ground up. For this reason, it is important to think about the material you will use when planning a project. There are currently two most popular choices.

Sylomer

This is one of the highest quality materials, which is an elastic polyurethane elastomer. We can say that it is the equivalent of a spring, which is additionally combined with a shock absorber.

When discussing the properties of this material, it is important to note that the damping level varies from 7 to 11%, depending on the particular kind of plate. In addition, there is hardly any correlation between the dynamic rigidity of "Silomer" and the vibration amplitude. As a result, the protective layer that has been prepared will work at various vibration level indicators.

Practical! The vibration excitation frequency is the only factor that can affect this material’s dynamic stiffness.

Because sylomer mats are made of cells, they can also hold onto a small amount of moisture. However, the material’s static and dynamic rigidity will only slightly alter even if it is submerged entirely in water. It is almost impossible for the vibration isolator to sustain damage from excessive moisture. Additionally, due to the tiny pores on the surface, dirt cannot enter the vibration isolator.

Characteristics of the material

It is important to highlight a few aspects of the content. For instance, it is immune to aggressive substances, hydrolysis, and the damaging effects of an alkaline environment. "Silomer" can handle cyclic loads that are sustained over time. It has a maximum endurance of two million load cycles. Furthermore, the material will endure for more than 30 years under the most trying circumstances.

Resistance to high temperatures is an additional feature. The material has a brief temperature tolerance of +120 degrees. When it comes to operating temperature, it should be between -30 and +70 degrees.

Wholesome Standard Sylomer sheets have a density of up to 680 kg/m3.

It is offered for sale in mats that are 12.5 or 25 mm thick. It is 1.5 meters wide. Moreover, the roll length is 5 meters. However, you can order material based on different measurements if needed.

Sylodyn

We are discussing springs without shock absorbers in this instance. Because of its closed porous structure, "silodine" can be utilized in situations where groundwater levels are relatively high.

Practical! Getzner is the name of the Austrian company that produces both materials.

It is important to note that the qualities of the two materials are comparable. They can be applied to full-plane, point, and strip support placement. Changing the support area is sufficient to achieve the maximum compression of "Silomer" and "Sylodyn." Special pile caps are used for this.

Practical! Building stairwells and floors are common places where Sylodyn is used to reduce impact noise. Installing soundproofing structures for floors, walls, or ceilings is another application for it.

Still, "Sylodyn" differs in one very important way. The material does, in fact, typically last for a little over a decade.

Building stability and longevity are greatly enhanced by vibration isolation for foundations. It shields the building from potential damage and wear by reducing the amount of vibrations that are transferred from the ground to the structure. This is particularly crucial in places where there is a lot of traffic, industrial activity, or seismic activity.

Vibration isolation is a useful tool for improving occupant safety and comfort. It makes the building quieter and more vibration-free, which makes for a more comfortable and effective atmosphere. Furthermore, it protects machinery and sensitive equipment, which can be negatively impacted by persistent vibrations.

Using appropriate vibration isolation techniques increases the building’s overall maintenance and durability. It prolongs the life of the foundation and the building as a whole and prevents structural fatigue. By taking preventative measures, you can avoid expensive repairs and make sure the building is secure and useful for a long time.

In summary, vibration isolation is an essential component of contemporary construction, not merely an optional extra. It ensures the long-term viability of buildings, improves occupant comfort, and protects their structural integrity. Effective vibration isolation will continue to be a crucial part of building design and maintenance even as construction methods improve.

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