Vibration damping for walls and ceilings – reduces vibrations in industrial environments
Reduce structure-borne noise and vibrations transmitted through walls and ceilings in industrial buildings
In industrial environments, vibrations from machines, technical installations, and production equipment can spread far beyond the place where they originate. When vibrations are conducted into walls and ceilings, the movement propagates further into the building's structure and can cause structure-borne noise, low-frequency humming, and vibrations in several rooms at the same time. Vibration damping of walls and ceilings aims to limit this propagation and create a more stable and controlled sound and vibration environment.
What does vibration damping of walls and ceilings involve?
Vibration damping of walls and ceilings means reducing how mechanical movements are transmitted through the building's load-bearing structures. Unlike sound insulation, which stops airborne sound between rooms, and sound absorption, which reduces echo and reverberation in a room, vibration damping focuses on reducing the vibrations themselves in the structure. The goal is to break the mechanical connection that causes movements to spread throughout the industrial building.
Common problems with vibrations through walls and ceilings
In industrial premises, vibrations through walls and ceilings are often experienced as a dull, continuous hum or as recurring shaking. Problems arise, for example, when machines are wall-mounted, when pipes and installations are firmly attached to the structure, or when vibrations from floors and joists are transmitted upwards. Since walls and ceilings connect large parts of the building, the disturbances can be felt far from the actual source of the vibration.
How do vibrations spread in wall and ceiling structures?
When vibrations are transmitted into a wall or ceiling, the movement continues through studs, concrete, steel, and board material, as well as through connections to floors, columns, and other building components. The structure can act as an effective transmission path where vibrations are amplified by resonance. This is a common reason why vibrations are difficult to locate in industrial environments.
Vibrations via fastenings
Fixed installations and pipe systems can transfer movements directly to walls and ceilings.
Spread between building components
Walls and ceilings often act as links that transmit vibrations throughout the building.
Why choose vibration damping for walls and ceilings?
Vibration damping of walls and ceilings is often crucial when disturbances cannot be resolved by measures in the floor or at the machine alone. By reducing the spread of vibrations in these building components, both structure-borne noise and perceived shaking can be reduced. This measure contributes to a better working environment, increased operational reliability, and reduced impact on neighboring activities.
Well-considered advice for best results
For best results, it is important to identify how the vibrations enter the wall and ceiling structure. A common mistake is to focus solely on the sound that is heard, without taking into account the mechanical transmission. By working with vibration damping where the movement is led into the structure, the disturbances can be reduced more effectively and in the long term.
Vibration damping of walls and ceilings is therefore an important measure for reducing disruptive vibrations and structure-borne noise in industrial environments.