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Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

To make the acoustic performance an extraordinary experience again, GERB designed and integrated a Floating Slab Track system for Basel Tram.

When the music hall was realized in 1876, the walls were built directly on the foundations of the historic city wall and the vault of the Birsig (river). The city wall itself is rigidly connected to the Birsig vault. Over the years, the components have been firmly connected to the tram via pipelines, cable tunnels and a pedestrian underpass, resulting in numerous structure-borne noise bridges. Vibrations from passing trams are transmitted to the music hall and radiated as secondary airborne noise.

The music hall was opened by the Casino-Gesellschaft Basel, founded in 1824, due to the growing number of cultural events. The hall was designed by architect J.J. Stehlin-Burckhardt and is internationally recognized as an outstanding concert hall.

Challenge

The excellent acoustic properties of the music hall were severely impaired by the noise and vibration of the trams.

Despite decades (37 years) of serious efforts, the problem has not been solved. For this reason, there was increasing criticism:

The audience complained about the disturbed enjoyment of the concert.
There was no suitable venue for the top-class symphony orchestra available, which also demotivated the orchestra members and soloists.
Professional recordings were no longer produced in the music hall.
Renowned artists refused to perform in this hall.

Due to these serious facts, the operator Casino-Gesellschaft and the canton suffered non-material and financial damage.

Solution

In order to enable unrestricted operation of the music hall, operators and clients required a reduction in the noise level (structure-borne noise) in the music hall by at least 20 dB. In the Steinenberg/Theaterstrasse area in Basel, the existing tracks of the Basel public transport company were rebuilt in order to reduce the transmission of structure-borne noise in accordance with the specifications. For this reason, a deeply tuned floating slab track on 750 x GSI steel spring elements from GERB were installed as part of a conversion measure.

Technical Facts:

Building: Stadt Casino Basel
Vibration source: Train Traffic
Base isolation frequency: 5 Hz
GERB elements: GSI spring elements for Floating Slab Track

Result

The reduction in peak and rms vibration on the vaudeville floor ranges from 94 % to 98 %. The desired solution was able to reduce the airborne noise level in the music hall by 22 dB and more. The structure-borne noise emitted when trams pass through is at the level of the the background noise and is no longer subjectively perceptible. The renovation carried out is a complete success in terms of both acoustics and vibrations. If a further improvement in the interior level of the music hall is desired, the basic sound level in the room itself has to be further reduced. (Source: Trefzer Rosa + Partner GmbH)

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Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

To make the acoustic performance an extraordinary experience again, GERB designed and integrated a Floating Slab Track system for Basel Tram.

Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

To make the acoustic performance an extraordinary experience again, GERB designed and integrated a Floating Slab Track system for Basel Tram.

Challenge

The excellent acoustic properties of the music hall were severely impaired by the noise and vibration of the trams. Despite decades (37 years) of serious efforts, the problem has not been solved. For this reason, there was increasing criticism:

The audience complained about the disturbed enjoyment of the concert.
There was no suitable venue for the top-class symphony orchestra available, which also demotivated the orchestra members and soloists.
Professional recordings were no longer produced in the music hall.
Renowned artists refused to perform in this hall.

Due to these serious facts, the operator Casino-Gesellschaft and the canton suffered non-material and financial damage.

Challenge

The audience complained about the disturbed enjoyment of the concert.
There was no suitable venue for the top-class symphony orchestra available, which also demotivated the orchestra members and soloists.
Professional recordings were no longer produced in the music hall.
Renowned artists refused to perform in this hall.

Due to these serious facts, the operator Casino-Gesellschaft and the canton suffered non-material and financial damage.

Solution

Technical Facts:

Building: Stadtcasino Basel
Vibration source: Tram Traffic
Base isolation frequency: 5 Hz
GERB elements: GSI spring elements for Floating Slab Track

In order to enable unrestricted operation of the music hall, operators and clients required a reduction in the noise level (structure-borne noise) in the music hall by at least 20 dB. In the Steinenberg/Theaterstrasse area in Basel, the existing tracks of the Basel public transport company were rebuilt in order to reduce the transmission of structure-borne noise in accordance with the specifications. For this reason, a deeply tuned Floating Slab Track on 750 x GSI steel spring elements from GERB were installed as part of a conversion measure.

Result

The reduction in peak and rms vibration on the vaudeville floor ranges from 94 % to 98 %. The desired solution was able to reduce the airborne noise level in the music hall by 22 dB and more. The structure-borne noise emitted when trams pass through is at the level of the background noise and is no longer subjectively perceptible. The renovation carried out is a complete success in terms of both acoustics and vibrations. If a further improvement in the interior level of the music hall is desired, the basic sound level in the room itself has to be further reduced. (Source: Trefzer Rosa + Partner GmbH)

Solution

In order to enable unrestricted operation of the music hall, operators and clients require a reduction in the noise level (structure-borne noise) in the music hall by at least 20 dB. In the Steinenberg/Theaterstrasse area in Basel, the existing tracks of the Basel public transport company were rebuilt in order to reduce the transmission of structure-borne noise in accordance with the specifications. For this reason, a deeply tuned floating slab track on 750 x GSI steel spring elements from GERB were installed as part of a conversion measure

Technical Facts:

Building: Stadtcasino Basel
Vibration source: Tram Traffic
Base isolation frequency: 5 Hz
GERB elements: GSI

Share this post

Further Resources

You need further information on this topic?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your individual question.
One of our project engineers will get back to you shortly.

First Name*

Last Name*

E-Mail*

Country*

Company*

Phone number

Address

Message*

I agree to the privacy policy.*

Please leave this field empty.

Further Resources

You need further information on this topic?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your individual question.
One of our project engineers will get back to you shortly.

First Name*

Last Name*

E-Mail*

Country*

Company*

Phone number

Address

Message*

I agree to the privacy policy.*

Please leave this field empty.

Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

Challenge

Solution

Result

Further Resources

Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

Protecting Basel Concert Hall from vibration & structure-borne noise

Challenge

Challenge

Solution

Result

Solution

Further Resources

Further Resources

Portfolio

Company