Results of IStructE 2015 survey of practitioners on vibration serviceability

Abstract

In 2015 IStructE conducted a survey of structural engineering practitioners about their experience with designing structures to have satisfactory vibration serviceability. This is the first international survey of this kind known to the author. Over 100 responses were received from around the world. Almost a quarter of respondents had experienced problems with human comfort in designs which were code compliant and over 40% stated that they had experienced limitations in design code guidance/requirements. These and responses to the other 8 questions, as well as free text comments, are analysed and presented, with some recommendations as to the way forward for the profession considering the outcomes of this survey. Key areas of concern identified by the survey are: (1) generally low level of competence of structural engineers when dealing with vibration serviceability; (2) poor code and design guideline provision to cope with a plethora of vibration serviceability scenarios in modern lightweight structures; (3) aspects of client-engineer relationship preventing full engagement of the client in specifying vibration serviceability requirements; and (4) unreliable or unworkable vibration limits proposed in thestandards