Vibration serviceability assessment of floors in a multi-use, multi-storey industrial complex

Abstract

Vibration serviceability assessments were carried out on the floors of several 'units' of an industrial complex in Singapore. Floors tested were within large, two-level, structural units described as detached, semi-detached and terraced and having usable single floor areas up to 2100 m². All floors were constructed from hollow core slabs with spans up to 12 m and all nominally behaved as high frequency floors. Occupancy conditions ranged from empty and untenanted to usage for warehousing, instrument assembly and testing, electronic equipment manufacture to light manufacturing and machining of metal structures. Forms of loading included internal and external vehicles, human footfalls and excitation by machinery. The study identified the most onerous form of loading and provides guidance for facility owners with mixed vibration serviceability requirements.