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Vibration Isolation & Seismic Control of a High Rise Building
With Sustainable Design: The Porta Nuova Project in Milan
For many structures the main reason for the support on steel springs is the achievement of vibration isolation efficiency. Sometimes, the seismic protection can be solved as a side effect. A corresponding project example is the Porta Nuova project in Milan, Italy. It includes several building complexes such as a new metro station, parks and several underground car parks. One highlight are the green twin towers called “Bosco Verticale” (Vertical Forest), planned by the Italian architect Stefano Boeri and his partners. The numerous trees and plants arranged on the facade and balconies are intended to improve the microclimate in the apartments and to reduce noise, dust and heat.
Elevating Comfort: Innovative Vibration Isolation for High-Rise Living
Both high-rise towers were constructed between 2008 and 2013 and completed in 2014. One of the two residential structures is located in the immediate vicinity of a subway tunnel. Due to the metro line, vibration and structure-born noise problems could have occurred within the building. These effects can be significantly minimized by an elastic support of the tower. For this purpose, a vertical support frequency of approximately 3.1 Hz was chosen.
The building with a length of about 22 m and a width of about 28 m has 19 floors with a total height of about 85 m. Due to the total design load of 250.000 kN the tower is elastically supported on 276 steel spring elements. The selection of the element type and the arrangement of the devices was initially made considering the static building loads, the local space conditions and the aforementioned vertical target frequency.
Furthermore, it was important to consider wind loading as well as the seismic input that can be described by a peak ground acceleration of 0.07 g and an amplification factor of 2.65 for the plateau range between 2.6 Hz and 7.1 Hz.
Enhanced Earthquake Protection: The Innovative Base Control System for Superior Structural Stability
The Base Control System (BCS) consists of helical steel springs and highly efficient Viscodamper®, which are arranged underneath the structure. The system is flexible in horizontal directions, but has also a vertical elasticity. Viscodamper® supply absorption forces in horizontal and vertical directions. In particular the resulting demands (e.g. accelerations, base shear etc.) of the structure can be significantly reduced by using the BCS – due to reduction of frequencies and increase of structural damping.
Technical Facts:
Structure: Reinforced concrete
Vibration source: Subway line / seismic
Base isolation frequency: 3.1 Hz
Design load: 250,000 kN
Base isolation: 276 GERB spring elements (prestressable) and 32 Viscodamper®
As earthquakes do not only act in a horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, it is becoming increasingly important to provide earthquake protection in all three spatial directions. Vibration isolation efficiency is always included in this solution.
The selected helical steel springs for the Bosco Verticale have a high stiffness ratio of about 7 (kv/ kh) to achieve a low horizontal natural frequency with a low rocking component of the corresponding mode shape. At the same time the elements provide the required low frequency for the vertical direction to ensure the vibration isolation efficiency. Parallel to the spring elements, 32 Viscodamper® were arranged in order to increase the structural damping and at the same time to limit the relative movements of the structure. The results of an initial study show that the seismic accelerations at the roof could be reduced by approximately 50 % using the combination of springs and Viscodamper®.
Enhancing Safety and Stability: Revolutionary Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Solutions for Tall Structures
The Project was successfully completed in 2014 and brought significant benefits. Particularly noteworthy is the high efficiency of the vibration isolation, which makes it possible to effectively minimise disturbances caused by vibrations. In addition, the project achieved improved seismic control for tall and slender building structures. These advances contribute to increasing the safety and stability of such structures in earthquake-prone regions.
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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.
Vibration Isolation & Seismic Control of a High Rise Building
With Sustainable Design: The Porta Nuova Project in Milan
For many structures the main reason for the support on steel springs is the achievement of vibration isolation efficiency. Sometimes, the seismic protection can be solved as a side effect. A corresponding project example is the Porta Nuova project in Milan, Italy. It includes several building complexes such as a new metro station, parks and several underground car parks. One highlight are the green twin towers called “Bosco Verticale” (Vertical Forest), planned by the Italian architect Stefano Boeri and his partners. The numerous trees and plants arranged on the facade and balconies are intended to improve the microclimate in the apartments and to reduce noise, dust and heat.
Vibration Isolation & Seismic Control of a High Rise Building
With Sustainable Design: The Porta Nuova Project in Milan
For many structures the main reason for the support on steel springs is the achievement of vibration isolation efficiency. Sometimes, the seismic protection can be solved as a side effect. A corresponding project example is the Porta Nuova project in Milan, Italy. It includes several building complexes such as a new metro station, parks and several underground car parks. One highlight are the green twin towers called “Bosco Verticale” (Vertical Forest), planned by the Italian architect Stefano Boeri and his partners. The numerous trees and plants arranged on the facade and balconies are intended to improve the microclimate in the apartments and to reduce noise, dust and heat.
Elevating Comfort: Innovative Vibration Isolation for High-Rise Living
Both high-rise towers were constructed between 2008 and 2013 and completed in 2014. One of the two residential structures is located in the immediate vicinity of a subway tunnel. Due to the metro line, vibration and structure-born noise problems could have occurred within the building. These effects can be significantly minimized by an elastic support of the tower. For this purpose, a vertical support frequency of approximately 3.1 Hz was chosen.
The building with a length of about 22 m and a width of about 28 m has 19 floors with a total height of about 85 m. Due to the total design load of 250.000 kN the tower is elastically supported on 276 steel spring elements. The selection of the element type and the arrangement of the devices was initially made considering the static building loads, the local space conditions and the aforementioned vertical target frequency.
Furthermore, it was important to consider wind loading as well as the seismic input that can be described by a peak ground acceleration of 0.07 g and an amplification factor of 2.65 for the plateau range between 2.6 Hz and 7.1 Hz.
Elevating Comfort: Innovative Vibration Isolation for High-Rise Living
Both high-rise towers were constructed between 2008 and 2013 and completed in 2014. One of the two residential structures is located in the immediate vicinity of a subway tunnel. Due to the metro line, vibration and structure-born noise problems could have occurred within the building. These effects can be significantly minimized by an elastic support of the tower. For this purpose, a vertical support frequency of approximately 3.1 Hz was chosen.
The building with a length of about 22 m and a width of about 28 m has 19 floors with a total height of about 85 m. Due to the total design load of 250.000 kN the tower is elastically supported on 276 steel spring elements. The selection of the element type and the arrangement of the devices was initially made considering the static building loads, the local space conditions and the aforementioned vertical target frequency.
Furthermore, it was important to consider wind loading as well as the seismic input that can be described by a peak ground acceleration of 0.07 g and an amplification factor of 2.65 for the plateau range between 2.6 Hz and 7.1 Hz.
Enhanced Earthquake Protection: The Innovative Base Control System for Superior Structural Stability
The Base Control System (BCS) consists of helical steel springs and highly efficient Viscodamper®, which are arranged underneath the structure. The system is flexible in horizontal directions, but has also a vertical elasticity. Viscodamper® supply absorption forces in horizontal and vertical directions. In particular the resulting demands (e.g. accelerations, base shear etc.) of the structure can be significantly reduced by using the BCS – due to reduction of frequencies and increase of structural damping.
Technical Facts:
Structure: Reinforced concrete
Vibration source: Subway line / seismic
Base isolation frequency: 3.1 Hz
Design load: 250,000 kN
Base isolation: 276 GERB spring elements (prestressable)
and 32 Viscodamper®
As earthquakes do not only act in a horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, it is becoming increasingly important to provide earthquake protection in all three spatial directions. Vibration isolation efficiency is always included in this solution.
The selected helical steel springs for the Bosco Verticale have a high stiffness ratio of about 7 (kv/ kh) to achieve a low horizontal natural frequency with a low rocking component of the corresponding mode shape. At the same time the elements provide the required low frequency for the vertical direction to ensure the vibration isolation efficiency. Parallel to the spring elements, 32 Viscodamper® were arranged in order to increase the structural damping and at the same time to limit the relative movements of the structure. The results of an initial study show that the seismic accelerations at the roof could be reduced by approximately 50 % using the combination of springs and Viscodamper®.
Enhancing Safety and Stability: Revolutionary Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Solutions for Tall Structures
The Project was successfully completed in 2014 and brought significant benefits. Particularly noteworthy is the high efficiency of the vibration isolation, which makes it possible to effectively minimise disturbances caused by vibrations. In addition, the project achieved improved seismic control for tall and slender building structures. These advances contribute to increasing the safety and stability of such structures in earthquake-prone regions.
Enhanced Earthquake Protection: The Innovative Base Control System for Superior Structural Stability
The Base Control System (BCS) consists of helical steel springs and highly efficient Viscodamper®, which are arranged underneath the structure. The system is flexible in horizontal directions, but has also a vertical elasticity. Viscodamper® supply absorption forces in horizontal and vertical directions. In particular the resulting demands (e.g. accelerations, base shear etc.) of the structure can be significantly reduced by using the BCS – due to reduction of frequencies and increase of structural damping.
Technical Facts:
Structure: Reinforced concrete
Vibration source: Subway line / seismic
Base isolation frequency: 3.1 Hz
Design load: 250,000 kN
Base isolation: 276 GERB spring elements (prestressable) and 32 Viscodamper®
As earthquakes do not only act in a horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, it is becoming increasingly important to provide earthquake protection in all three spatial directions. Vibration isolation efficiency is always included in this solution.
The selected helical steel springs for the Bosco Verticale have a high stiffness ratio of about 7 (kv/ kh) to achieve a low horizontal natural frequency with a low rocking component of the corresponding mode shape. At the same time the elements provide the required low frequency for the vertical direction to ensure the vibration isolation efficiency. Parallel to the spring elements, 32 Viscodamper® were arranged in order to increase the structural damping and at the same time to limit the relative movements of the structure. The results of an initial study show that the seismic accelerations at the roof could be reduced by approximately 50 % using the combination of springs and Viscodamper®.
Enhancing Safety and Stability: Revolutionary Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Solutions for Tall Structures
The Project was successfully completed in 2014 and brought significant benefits. Particularly noteworthy is the high efficiency of the vibration isolation, which makes it possible to effectively minimise disturbances caused by vibrations. In addition, the project achieved improved seismic control for tall and slender building structures. These advances contribute to increasing the safety and stability of such structures in earthquake-prone regions.
Share this post
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.
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.