A site inspection was conducted.

This was at the location of slabs with suspected

machine-induced floor vibration. The following observations were noted:

The chiller, itself, was resting on an isolated spring fixture over a concrete
padding. Furthermore, no vibration was felt at the concrete pad support
location. Thus, such fitting could have properly damp the vibration of the
chiller and can be excluded as a primary structural-borne-vibration source but
can still contribute to the secondary air-borne pulsation of the floor and
surrounding system such as walls.
However, the attachment to the chiller, such as immense pipes, was
accounted. It was only supported by rigid tubes. These tubes were, then, only
attached to floor slabs through a concrete pedestal (see attached inspection
photos). Thus, such immense pipes with water flowing through it at great
operating speed, can result to water flow-induced tremor. This shall be the
primary structural-borne vibration source.
Vibration was imperceptible in the fourth floor level nearby and below the
area where the operating chiller was situated. However, air-borne noise were
pertinent and at an intolerable limit.
Above observation shall be consulted with a mechanical/acoustical consultant to
provide necessary countermeasures.
Nevertheless, an immediate recommendation was to provide every floor-supported
piping with either a spring mount, a pad mount or a rubber mount isolator. When
such immense pipes are subjected to large thermal movement, a slide plate on top
of the isolator should also be provided. Thermal barriers should be used when
rubber isolators were selected and were installed directly beneath steam or hot
water lines. Specific isolation details and design shall be consulted with the
mechanical consultant considering as-built conditions.
It must also be noted that the scope of structural design for concrete floors
considering serviceability limit state such as vibration certainly covers that which
were initiated by human (depending on general floor functionality) as per governing
structural design codes. It must be considered that local vibration caused by
machine operations were significantly higher that isolation design by other trade
become a separate requirement.
Inadequate isolation provision can cause structural-borne vibration to surrounding
system, including the concrete floor and wall system. This effect could lead to the
development of vibration-induced fatigue stresses due to cyclic disturbances. Such
stresses would result to long-term degradation of concrete floor and progressive
development of fatigue cracks if not properly refurbished. Such event will be
subjected to rectification procedure of the structural consultant. This is not a
reversible design measure.
In terms of adequate human-induced vibration analysis, as one of the serviceability
check of EoR in the design of concrete floor system, Design Guidelines for Floor
Vibrations due to Human Activity are incorporated. Nevertheless, it could be noted
that, in most cases, this serviceability limit state is not a governing criteria so long
as the minimum depth to span ratio recommended by the code is duly satisfied. In
some critical cases, the guideline provide direct relationship between the natural
frequency of the floor system and the resultant floor deflections. Such measures the
characteristic floor stiffness against damping due to acceleration excitation from
common human rhythmic/cyclic activities. Resonance parameters computed based
from design geometry of the floor system will then be compared to certain ranges
acceptable for a specific floor function (e.g. retailing, industrial or office utility) . If
desire criteria is not achieved, redesigning the slab would be imposed. This is until
acceptable vibration limits are attained.