INCE/J Vibration Measurement Manual for Buildings—Part 1: A commentary on the manual for vibration measurement

Vibration Regulation Law in Japan has regulated vertical ground vibration caused by road traffic, operation of a factory machine, and construction work since 1976. However, inhabitants perceive vibrations not on the ground but in buildings which are residential spaces. For the purpose of assessing building vibrations, technical committee on Environmental Vibration Evaluation in the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE/J) organized Vibration Manual for Buildings. The manual is desired to provide technical materials contributing to effective measures for the vibrations to be solved. To achieve the aim, the manual concerns the method of measurement of the following vibration characteristics: propagation of ground vibrations, transmission of house vibrations, and vibration exposures to inhabitants according to vibration sources. In addition, the accumulation of detailed measurement data contributing to the revision of vibration index in the future is an important issue. Specifically, items of the manual are the following: scope, measurement (measurement unit, instrument, location direction, time zone, and notices) and calculation of measurements. For example, measurement unit is based on one-third octave band analysis. The vibration shall be measured at the location in building where the inhabitants perceive highest magnitude of the vibration.