FROM ACOUSTIC SPECIFICATION TO HANDOVER. A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO AN EFFECTIVE AND ROBUST SYSTEM FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BASE (VIBRATION) ISOLATED BUILDINGS

摘要

A typical building isolation system design specification will usually be based on a single degree of freedom model derived from vibration measurements taken from the site and typically ends up with one key performance criterion to be achieved, dynamic natural frequency. The flaws in this are widely discussed however notwithstanding the challenges in developing a robust performance specification, its ultimate success is reliant on a coordinated effort between all parties involved in the design and construction team including: the acoustic consultant, structural engineer, building isolation system supplier, architect, M&E designers, main, frame, fit-out and M&E contractors. There are many factors which, individually or collectively and to a greater or lesser extent will influence on the ultimate acoustic performance of the building for its occupants. Examples include: the wide variety of building types (concrete, steel, lightweight steel frame..), foundation types (piled, raft, isolated or non-isolated basement, on top of an existing building or structure..), layout and shape (open plan, small discrete rooms, apartments..), specific details (offset and external columns, retained facades..). At the point the acoustic specification is created much of this detail will not be known or finalised and it could also be reasonably stated that there are significant gaps in our industries' knowledge about if and how each of these factors will influence the overall performance of the system. Finite Element modelling is often seen as the answer but in order to achieve credible results a model has to be very detailed including structure and fit out details. This in itself if expensive and time consuming and would have to be adapted to account for every change in feature from the design development process. This paper sets out the principles of a new matrix of responsibility for a robust design and construction process of base isolated buildings.