The Increasing Application of DIN 4150-3 for the Assessment of Potential Damage to Buildings from Construction Vibration and its Implications in Australia

The increasing application of DIN 4150-3 to above-ground structures such as commercial, residential and particularly heritage buildings in the preliminary planning stage of projects is problematic. DIN 4150-3 is often incorrectly interpreted when applied to Australian scenarios which has the potential for long-term consequences. Applying the DIN 4150-3 guide values for resonant vibration at the correct location (just below the roof) requires the consideration of potential amplification between the foundation and the roof level of the building, which does not appear to be common practice in Australia. A review of the literature found that roof vibration levels are typically 1.5 times higher than that at the foundation, but in practice can be up to four to six times higher, particularly in heritage structure applications. The correct application of DIN 4150-3 results in more stringent guide values at the foundation than those commonly applied in practice in Australia, the practical consequences of which are either an excessive number of pre-construction dilapidation surveys, or the restriction of vibration-intensive items of plant through increased buffer distances, which increases project costs and timelines. This paper proposes an alternative methodology to the application of DIN 4150-3 that, when complemented with the application of BS 7385-2, provides a sensible compromise for Australian scenarios between the competing requirements of asset owners and construction contractors that can be applied to all industrial, commercial and residential receivers, including those with “heritage” status.