Cost Analysis of the Possibility of Securing an Energy-Efficient Building Against Harmful Effects of Vibrations on People

Abstract

The aim of this article is to check vibrational comfort in near zero energy building (NZEB) which is often neglected for this type of building but could be annoying for residents. Building chosen for analysis is experimental building of Malopolska Laboratory of Energy Efficient Building which fulfils requirements for NZEB. The main advantage of this building is that it was design specially for research purposes and it has fourteen zones independently controlled. These zones give opportunity to ensure thermal, humidity, luminosity comfort, but do not measure vibrational comfort. Building is located in the city center of Krakow and very close to Szlak street on which cars and vans move. In this article the vibrational measurements carried out on the top floor of the building are presented. Results indicate that vibrational comfort should be taken into account in NZEB. Second part of the article describes possibility to ensure vibrational comfort in such a building by floor specially design for these purposes. In the city centres, vibro-acoustic floors could be the only solution when vibrational comfort during day or night is exceeded. Three different types of vibro-acoustic floor with different layers’ configuration are described. Their advantages and disadvantages are also shown. In the end, cost analysis is made for different types of floor solutions and the most optimal solution is chosen. The selection is made not only by economic reasons but, above all, by functional premises. The floor solution chosen to be used in Malopolska Laboratory of Energy Efficient Building first of all should ensure the vibrational comfort during daytime because it is office building not residing in the night. The owners of the building will be offered an economic option that meets the requirements of vibrational comfort during the day and an exclusive option that will ensure that the vibration threshold of perception will be not exceeded.