Human perception of vibrations according different assessment methods

Abstract

Human perception of vibration could be the basic parameter in designing new buildings subjected to different type of transport vibrations. Humans are more sensitive for vibrations then building structure. In an increasingly urbanized city centres people are exposed to vibrations from different transport sources such as: tramways, railways, heavy truck traffic or subway especially when considered shallow underground. The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of two different evaluation methods of human perception of vibrations. Methods chosen for evaluation are: the basic root mean squared (RMS) method and the additional method of evaluation vibration dose value (VDV). The building chosen for analysis is subjected to three different vibration sources: tram, heavy truck and subway passages. It is located in Warsaw where is a shallow underground which could have significant influence on human response to vibrations because vibrations from this kind of source is more perceptible on lower floors. That is why measurement points were located in the middle of the floor on the ground floor and on the top floor. The registered signal from the three different sources of vibration was analysed according to RMS and VDV procedure included in ISO standard. RMS and VDV methods were compared with each other.