Advanced Technologies for Mitigation of Human-Induced Vibration
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Engineering Computer Science and Maths
Abstract
There is an inexorable trend for civil engineering structures to become more slender and lightweight, as engineers strive to design more efficient structures with reduced economic cost, reduced carbon footprint and increased flexibility of usage. Unfortunately, due to their reduced mass and stiffness these structures are inherently lively and there is a desperate need for advanced technologies that are capable of ensuring satisfactory vibration performance when people walk, run and jump on them. There are two key issues to address:
(1) Technologies are required to deal with existing vibration problems, which are increasingly and widely observed in structures such as floors, footbridges, sports stadia and staircases. Currently available technologies are insufficient to deal with the majority of these problems, which means that extensive and low-tech structural modification schemes have to be employed that are both expensive and highly disruptive.
(2) If the ambitions of structural engineers for ever more slender and efficient structures are to be realised, it will be necessary to 'design in' advanced methods of vibration control when developing new structures. This is because many contemporary structures are already being designed at their limits of vibration acceptability. Unfortunately, the new technologies required for this transformative design approach are not yet available.
In the last five years, the applicant and his team have carried out exciting research into active control of vibration in floor structures, in which large reductions in vibration have been achieved that are not possible using other floor control technologies. They have also demonstrated that significant material savings may be made using this technology, which has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. This is the main vision for this fellowship and the future, where advanced and intelligent vibration control strategies will become commonplace in structures subject to human dynamic loading.
However, a solution that works for floor vibrations from a single person walking is not necessarily going to work for a sports stadium with many thousands of people jumping during a rock concert. Hence, what is required is a required is a complete 'suite' of control technologies, from which the most appropriate solution may be chosen and implemented for any particular vibration problem. In these days of active noise cancelling headphones and semi-active vehicle suspension systems, it is time for these advanced technologies to find their place in civil structural engineering, to solve the unique problems of human-induced vibration.
Hence, in this research a comprehensive framework of technologies will be developed, so that the most appropriate technologies may be selected for a particular application. This will be the first time in the world that such a holistic approach has been taken to mitigation of human-induced vibrations. Fundamental research into a range of these technologies, including active, semi-active and hybrid vibration control techniques will be carried out to prove their viability in the civil engineering sector through analytical modelling, laboratory testing and in-the-field implementation. Finally, extensive industrial liaison and public outreach activities are planned to ensure the take-up of these technologies, which is the key way in which this research will benefit UK plc.
(1) Technologies are required to deal with existing vibration problems, which are increasingly and widely observed in structures such as floors, footbridges, sports stadia and staircases. Currently available technologies are insufficient to deal with the majority of these problems, which means that extensive and low-tech structural modification schemes have to be employed that are both expensive and highly disruptive.
(2) If the ambitions of structural engineers for ever more slender and efficient structures are to be realised, it will be necessary to 'design in' advanced methods of vibration control when developing new structures. This is because many contemporary structures are already being designed at their limits of vibration acceptability. Unfortunately, the new technologies required for this transformative design approach are not yet available.
In the last five years, the applicant and his team have carried out exciting research into active control of vibration in floor structures, in which large reductions in vibration have been achieved that are not possible using other floor control technologies. They have also demonstrated that significant material savings may be made using this technology, which has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. This is the main vision for this fellowship and the future, where advanced and intelligent vibration control strategies will become commonplace in structures subject to human dynamic loading.
However, a solution that works for floor vibrations from a single person walking is not necessarily going to work for a sports stadium with many thousands of people jumping during a rock concert. Hence, what is required is a required is a complete 'suite' of control technologies, from which the most appropriate solution may be chosen and implemented for any particular vibration problem. In these days of active noise cancelling headphones and semi-active vehicle suspension systems, it is time for these advanced technologies to find their place in civil structural engineering, to solve the unique problems of human-induced vibration.
Hence, in this research a comprehensive framework of technologies will be developed, so that the most appropriate technologies may be selected for a particular application. This will be the first time in the world that such a holistic approach has been taken to mitigation of human-induced vibrations. Fundamental research into a range of these technologies, including active, semi-active and hybrid vibration control techniques will be carried out to prove their viability in the civil engineering sector through analytical modelling, laboratory testing and in-the-field implementation. Finally, extensive industrial liaison and public outreach activities are planned to ensure the take-up of these technologies, which is the key way in which this research will benefit UK plc.
Planned Impact
The key beneficiary of the proposed research is the UK civil engineering and construction industry, who at long last will have access to effective vibration control technologies. This will ensure that they can deal with vibration problems encountered with structures in service in a relatively inexpensive manner and with minimal disruption to the occupants. In addition, the vibration control technologies will facilitate the future design of more efficient and slender structures with satisfactory vibration performance, which will use less materials and hence have reduced economic cost and carbon footprint.
The following activities are designed to maximise the industrial impact of the proposed research:
- Individual visits will be made to UK consultants and technical presentations given at the Institution of Structural Engineers, to disseminate research and to seek input into future research directions.
- Steering group meetings will be help biannually, which will include a number of industrial participants.
- Mitigation technologies will be implemented on real civil structures and case studies made available.
- PR will have input into national and international working groups to disseminate the latest research and develop guidance to ensure the take-up of the new vibration control technologies.
- A textbook will be written that will be accessible to practicing engineers.
- The developed technologies will be exploited commercially, to ensure that the technologies are available for use by the industry.
The owners and users of buildings will benefit through the increased slenderness of structures that may be achieved, leading to cheaper and lower carbon structures that have increased flexibility of usage. Users of controlled structures will also benefit from an enhanced vibration environment, leading to increased comfort and, in the case of offices and structures housing vibration sensitive equipment, increased productivity. In many cases, building users are comprised of members of the general public, who will benefit from reduced vibration in structures such as public buildings, footbridges, sports stadia, arenas and theatres.
PR will also dedicate valuable time to development of public outreach activities. Structural dynamics is inherently a very visual subject, whereby scientific principles can easily be illustrated using videos, animations and even physical models. The following public outreach activities are planned:
- Imaginative physical models, posters, presentations and simulation software will be developed to demonstrate the fundamental principles of vibration problems and the mitigation technologies developed.
- Opportunities will be sought to promote civil engineering (and particularly structural dynamics) to the wider community, especially schoolchildren who might be interested in a future career in engineering. In particular, PR will volunteer to give demonstrations to and develop interactive activities for school children attending the University of Sheffield Engineering Summer School and at UCAS open days.
- A web site will be designed specifically for non-experts, to introduce and explain the problems of human-induced vibration and the technologies being developed to deal with these problems. This will make use of some of the virtual simulations mentioned above, and will include collaborative and interactive elements to encourage active exchange of knowledge.
- To maximise the opportunities for public communication of the research, all researchers employed by the LF and associated research projects will attend a Royal Society course on public communication and media.
The following activities are designed to maximise the industrial impact of the proposed research:
- Individual visits will be made to UK consultants and technical presentations given at the Institution of Structural Engineers, to disseminate research and to seek input into future research directions.
- Steering group meetings will be help biannually, which will include a number of industrial participants.
- Mitigation technologies will be implemented on real civil structures and case studies made available.
- PR will have input into national and international working groups to disseminate the latest research and develop guidance to ensure the take-up of the new vibration control technologies.
- A textbook will be written that will be accessible to practicing engineers.
- The developed technologies will be exploited commercially, to ensure that the technologies are available for use by the industry.
The owners and users of buildings will benefit through the increased slenderness of structures that may be achieved, leading to cheaper and lower carbon structures that have increased flexibility of usage. Users of controlled structures will also benefit from an enhanced vibration environment, leading to increased comfort and, in the case of offices and structures housing vibration sensitive equipment, increased productivity. In many cases, building users are comprised of members of the general public, who will benefit from reduced vibration in structures such as public buildings, footbridges, sports stadia, arenas and theatres.
PR will also dedicate valuable time to development of public outreach activities. Structural dynamics is inherently a very visual subject, whereby scientific principles can easily be illustrated using videos, animations and even physical models. The following public outreach activities are planned:
- Imaginative physical models, posters, presentations and simulation software will be developed to demonstrate the fundamental principles of vibration problems and the mitigation technologies developed.
- Opportunities will be sought to promote civil engineering (and particularly structural dynamics) to the wider community, especially schoolchildren who might be interested in a future career in engineering. In particular, PR will volunteer to give demonstrations to and develop interactive activities for school children attending the University of Sheffield Engineering Summer School and at UCAS open days.
- A web site will be designed specifically for non-experts, to introduce and explain the problems of human-induced vibration and the technologies being developed to deal with these problems. This will make use of some of the virtual simulations mentioned above, and will include collaborative and interactive elements to encourage active exchange of knowledge.
- To maximise the opportunities for public communication of the research, all researchers employed by the LF and associated research projects will attend a Royal Society course on public communication and media.
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Reynolds (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Abdeljaber O
(2020)
A novel video-vibration monitoring system for walking pattern identification on floors
in Advances in Engineering Software
Ao W
(2019)
Evaluation of eddy current damper for vibration control of a frame structure
in Journal of Physics Communications
Ao W
(2019)
Evaluation of optimal analysis, design, and testing of electromagnetic shunt damper for vibration control of a civil structure
in Structural Control and Health Monitoring
Ao W
(2020)
Analysis and Numerical Evaluation of H8 and H2 Optimal Design Schemes for an Electromagnetic Shunt Damper
in Journal of Vibration and Acoustics
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2013)
Findings With AVC Design for Mitigation of Human Induced Vibrations in O ffice Floors
Emma Hudson (Author)
(2014)
Active Vibration Control of a Multi-Panel Floor Area
Hudson E
(2016)
Dynamics of Coupled Structures, Volume 4
Description | Novel methods of control of human-induced vibrations have been developed. A key impact is the development of the world's first commercial active mass damper for a concert venue. We are actively engaged in commercialising the technology for use in retrofitting existing structures and in new builds. Other more minor impacts include development of passive dampers in partnership with academic/industrial partners. |
Exploitation Route | Development of commercial products based on fundamental research carried out. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Environment Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
Description | Active vibration control was implemented on a major scale at a conference venue in the USA in a $2M project - the first installation of its kind worldwide. The technology has now been commercialised into the CALMFLOOR® product which has been developed and brought to market by FSD Active Ltd, a spinoff company founded by the PI in which he is now employed as CEO. CALMFLOOR® is the first mass-produced active mass damping product brought to market worldwide and first orders have been received for delivery in H1 2022. FSD Active Ltd has been successful in securing external grants and investment to fund product development and costs associated with early scaling up of fabrication. Significant economic activity is expected as the product is widely adopted, generating significant revenue and creating jobs in the Southwest of the UK. CALMFLOOR® has a massive potential to reduce embodied carbon in new buildings by making more efficient use of structural materials. The PI also participates in vibration-related standards bodies. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Construction |
Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
Description | CPD course on Vibration Serviceability at IStructE in London (May 2016 |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Chair of BSI technical committee GMI 21/6/4 |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Member of Scienti?c Committee of 2nd International Conference on Bridge Testing, Monitoring and Assessment, Cairo, Egypt |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Member of Scienti?c Committee of 6th World Conference on Structural Control and Monitoring, Barcelona, Spain |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Member of Scienti?c Committee of biennial International Operational Modal Analysis Conference |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | A Unified Approach to Vibration Serviceability Assessment of Floors |
Amount | $141,689 (USD) |
Organisation | Qatar Foundation |
Department | Qatar National Research Fund |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Qatar |
Start | 11/2015 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | Awarded £35k in 2016 from College QR Small Equipment fund for a Quanser 2-axis shake table and derived a ECMM102 group project in 2016/17 to develop teaching demonstraons using the shake table |
Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2016 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Awarded £45k in 2016 for structural dynamics teaching laboratory equipment from the College Tranche 3 funding mechanism, which is being developed for use in ECM3173 from academic year 2016/17 |
Amount | £45,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2016 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Development of commercially exploitable prototype of active control system for problematic building ?oor vibrations funded by EPSRC Impact Acceleration Accoun |
Amount | £44,976 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2016 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | Vibration control/serviceability Research and Development through secondment of postdoctoral researcher |
Organisation | Full Scale Dynamics Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Part time secondment of postdoctoral researcher to FSDL for R&D work in vibration serviceability and control. Benefits to both Company and University through sharing of background knowledge derived from EPSRC-funded research and generation of real world impact via the Company. |
Collaborator Contribution | Part time secondment of postdoctoral researcher to FSDL for R&D work in vibration serviceability and control. Benefits to both Company and University through sharing of background knowledge derived from EPSRC-funded research and generation of real world impact via the Company. |
Impact | Part time secondment of postdoctoral researcher to FSDL for R&D work in vibration serviceability and control. Benefits to both Company and University through sharing of background knowledge derived from EPSRC-funded research and generation of real world impact via the Company. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Visit by PHD student from Spain |
Organisation | University of Valladolid |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Research collaboration with other institution |
Collaborator Contribution | Research collaboration with other institution |
Impact | Training of PHD student |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Visit by academic partner from Spain |
Organisation | Technical University of Madrid |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Research collaboration with another institution |
Collaborator Contribution | Research collaboration with another institution |
Impact | Sharing research knowledge |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Visiting PHD student from Tunisia |
Organisation | National Engineering School of Tunis |
Country | Tunisia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of collaborative research relationship. |
Collaborator Contribution | Development of collaborative research relationship. |
Impact | Training of external PHD student. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Title | World's first active mass damper for concert venue |
Description | World's first implementation of active mass damper for human-induced vibrations during concert events. Based on years of EPSRC-funded fundamental research. Installed in Las Vegas, USA. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | World's first implementation of active mass damper for human-induced vibrations during concert events. Based on years of EPSRC-funded fundamental research. Installed in Las Vegas, USA. This solution was used because existing/traditional solutions were infeasible for this project. Impact generated internationally (i.e. USA). |
Company Name | Full Scale Dynamics |
Description | Full Scale Dynamics provides a range of vibration testing services on structures such as bridges and wind turbines, and also conducts structural performance checks. |
Year Established | 2008 |
Impact | Over £200k annual turnover, resulting in more than 100 applied research and consultancy contracts worth over £2.0m awarded since 2000. Providing consulting and applied research services to over 80 blue chip companies in the UK and overseas, many of which are returning customers. |
Website | http://www.fullscaledynamics.com |
Description | Active control talk (Soton 18th March) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited talk to UoS MSc students as part of module on active vibration control |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | CPD course |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited by the IStructE to deliver a two day CPD course on vibration serviceability in London to industry practitioners including engineering consultants on 12th and 13th June 2018 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | CPD course on Vibration Serviceability at IStructE in London (May 2016) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Delivery of an interactive CPD course on Vibration Serviceability at the IStructE's premises in London (May 2016). We were invited to do this by the Institution for Structural Engineers (IStructE) as there was a need for this training in industry. The course was so popular, there was a huge waiting list and consequently, we have booked two more dates in London for 2017. IStructE even received enquiries from abroad. They are now looking at booking dates in Manchester and Glasgow for further course delivery opportunities to industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Invited keynote presentation at the 6th European Conference on Structural Control on 13 July 2016 on "Control of Human-Induced Vibraons: An Integrated Approach to Vibration Serviceability Design |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited keynote presentation at the 6th European Conference on Structural Control on 13 July 2016 on "Control of Human-Induced Vibraons: An Integrated Approach to Vibration Serviceability Design |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Invited lecture to MSc students at Southampton University on 12 May 2016 on "Applications of Active Vibration Control in Civil Engineering Structures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to MSc students at Southampton University on 12 May 2016 on "Applications of Active Vibration Control in Civil Engineering Structures |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Lecture on Shake, Rattle and Roll - Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology (EXIST) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Breakfast presentation to 150 local business leaders to raise awareness of our work. Led directly to further discussions with local business leader regarding potential collaborative work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.existexeter.co.uk/04-2015/Events/ |
Description | Participation in Research Roadmap workshop in Vibration Serviceability |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Instigated, organised and ran a Research Roadmap workshop in Vibration Serviceability. Participants from academia and industry from all over the world, either travelled to the University of Exeter to take part, or participated remotely. Participants completed the information request templates to help form the basis of the workshop and following the workshop responded to the initial draft of the report identifying the relevant needs and important future actions. Once the report is finalised and approved by participants, we will decide on the next steps for taking this forward. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation at Waterman Group, London, on 15 June 2016 on "Control of Human-Induced Vibrations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation at Waterman Group, London, on 15 June 2016 on "Control of Human-Induced Vibrations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation on Control of Human-Induced Vibrations in Floor Structures at Argent (Property Development) Services in London, January 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on Control of Human-Induced Vibrations in Floor Structures at Argent (Property Development) Services in London, January 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation on Control of Human-Induced Vibrations: an integrated approach to vibration serviceability design at Expedition Engineering, London, November 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on Control of Human-Induced Vibrations: an integrated approach to vibration serviceability design at Expedition Engineering, London, November 2016 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presented at ICE Technical Report Club, Exeter (September 2015) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation to 20 ICE graduate members as part of their professional development and chartership process. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Short course delivery - Buro Happold, Bath |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of outputs from research to major engineering consultancy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Short course delivery - Mott MacDonald, Croydon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of outputs from research to major engineering consultancy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |