The specialist advice, simulations and testing capabilities of Full Scale Dynamics were sought by PCE Ltd to assist with the design of this new 17,000m2 multi-storey laboratory building in Cambridge. The world class facilities to be housed within have extremely stringent vibration requirements which necessitated careful vibration analysis of the floor structure prior to construction. The pre-cast concrete design was optimised for vibrations through a combination of finite element modelling and detailed acceleration response calculations. These calculations factored in the layout of corridors and increased walking rates possible in these areas, resulting in a design with reduced floor thickness compared to the original in situ concrete design. Upon construction of one of the storeys, Full Scale Dynamics also completed on-site dynamics testing to determine the as-built properties of the structure and demonstrated the finished structure would meet the vibration requirements of the original specification.
