Noise and structural vibration assessment of the Qubit 360 partition wall system

Abstract

High-rise buildings can be highly susceptible to the action of dynamic loads produced by the action of wind and earthquakes. Creaky noise towers can be a major, and often overlooked, consideration in the design and operation of new developments. A reliable and considered approach to assessing creaky towers is needed to achieve relevant standards and to minimize environmental impacts on buildings and structures. In collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and Traxx Metal Framing Systems, our team tested the structure-borne noise and vibration responses of a lightweight prototype implementing a patented vibration isolation system for building movements, Qubit 360. The primary goal of this research work was to refine, develop, and test this innovative system that can be used in multi-storey constructions and confirm the structural and vibro-acoustic behavior during a loading series of lateral drift simulating the movement of a building. Monitoring a structure with the Multi-Axis Substructure Testing System under the dynamics effects of different loading events allowed our team to understand the dynamic behavior of a lightweight prototype, and improve its safety, reliability, performance, and comfort. The proposed abstract will focus on an overview of the process involved in the laboratory and will present the vibro-acoustics results for a number of different specimens that implement the isolation system.