Featured Noise and Vibration Consulting Projects

The BioEPIC building at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory required balancing advanced research needs, including sensitive cryo-electron microscopy suites, with high-bay spaces for heavy vehicle movement. Vibrasure’s expertise was instrumental in addressing these unique challenges.

Our team conducted extensive site vibration propagation studies, which drove decisions regarding locating the TEM suite deep inside the structure. We developed a custom solution for microvibration isolation between the electron microscopes and heavy forklifts nearby. Vibrasure also tackled mechanical noise control across the building, designing noise mitigation strategies for air handling units, exhaust systems, and ductwork to ensure lab environments remained optimal for high-precision research.

Additionally, Vibrasure’s consulting supported the project’s LEED certification goals, contributing to the acoustic performance credits critical for the facility’s green building objectives.

This unique project involved converting a former retail space into a state-of-the-art outpatient medical facility. The project was executed for the University of Florida's Health Shands Hospital and included LASIK suites, surgical centers, and exam rooms.

Given the high sensitivity of the medical equipment and procedures, we conducted extensive vibration and acoustical assessments of the existing structure and site. Key challenges included isolating vibrations from mechanical systems and environmental factors to protect sensitive surgical operations. Additionally, acoustical privacy was critical for patient confidentiality in exam rooms and treatment areas.

We implemented a range of solutions, including isolating mechanical equipment and designing sound-rated walls and sound masking systems. These measures ensured cost-efficient compliance with healthcare standards, providing a stable, quiet environment for both medical procedures and patient comfort.

Vibrasure played a critical role in the renovation and expansion of Purdue University’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) building by addressing the complex vibration and acoustical challenges of the project.

The facility’s diverse spaces, including high-bay research areas, flexible laboratories, and classrooms, required careful attention to minimize noise and vibration impacts. Vibrasure performed a detailed site vibration survey and mechanical noise analysis to guide the design team in mitigating noise from equipment and tractor activity in the high-bay area.

By providing tailored solutions for sound isolation, mechanical noise control, and vibration management, Vibrasure ensured that sensitive research and teaching spaces—such as microscopy and teaching labs—could function optimally without interference, helping to maintain a conducive learning and research environment, even with heavy farm machinery moving within the structure.

Vibrasure played a key role in ensuring the performance and functionality of the UCSF Block 34 Clinic Building, a cutting-edge medical facility housing clinical, surgical, and imaging spaces. Sensitive environments, such as ophthalmological surgery suites and imaging rooms, required careful vibration control to prevent disruptions to critical procedures and equipment.

We conducted detailed vibration assessments to address potential impacts from mechanical systems. Tailored isolation measures were implemented to protect these sensitive spaces. In parallel, we designed comprehensive noise control solutions for mechanical systems, walls, and structural elements to ensure patient comfort and compliance with UCSF’s stringent standards.

Our work also supported the project’s pursuit of LEED certification, contributing to a sustainable, high-performance facility that meets both acoustical and vibration requirements critical to healthcare operations.

Vibrasure is currently helping design a new Equine Hospital at North Carolina State University, which has unique acoustical and vibration needs for both animal care and veterinary research.

The project’s proximity to high-impact noise sources, such as the North Carolina State Fair, required careful consideration of how environmental factors could affect both the hospital’s operations and the sensitive hearing of horses.

We conducted detailed site surveys, including capturing impacts from concerts and fireworks at the Fairgrounds, helping the University choose between different site options. Our team developed sound isolation strategies to prevent sharp, sudden noises from startling horses in critical areas like surgery, treatment rooms, and stalls. Later, we generated 3-D site noise models to help the team understand the implications of a major upgrade to cooling towers nearby.

All new transit projects require some degree of environmental impact assessment, but the most-challenging involve rail near high-tech and laboratory uses, like at the University of Washington. There, a proposed light rail line would pass through campus, as Seattle’s Sound Transit worked to connect the City. While the University desired mass transit, early plans risked ruining the otherwise quiet vibration and EMI environments in the core of campus.

We helped the UW negotiate with ST, providing campus-wide surveys and analyses; conducting specialized vibration testing; reviewing rail isolation systems; and even performing monitoring of rail impacts.

The sensitivities in these settings are not only extraordinary; they are also of significant economic importance, and protecting these environments was a high institutional priority. In the end, a new alignment and track-based isolation preserved these environments and helped the UW retain its position as a strong competitor in academic R&D.

Vibrasure is currently providing the vibration and acoustical design for the core of a new R&D facility for Nokia/Bell Labs. Situated near an active rail line in New Brunswick, NJ, the site is in a noiser environment than similar, well-known facilities in Murray Hill. The new building requires control of both noise and vibrations to protect sensitive research.

In particular, VC-E is needed at the second floor, where we helped validate a heavy "semiconductor-grade" waffle structure. Vibrasure conducted detailed site surveys to assess the impact of train pass-throughs, helping the team understand potential impacts from these external sources. Additionally, we developed sound isolation measures for the building’s facade to minimize noise intrusion, creating a quieter, more productive space for offices and labs.

Vibrasure’s solutions ensured that the facility would meet both Nokia’s high standards and the acoustic and vibration challenges of its urban location.

Vibrasure was asked to help design a new industrial R&D / manufacturing campus for a confidential fusion energy startup company. The multi-structure project includes a Tokamak Hall at its core, along with offices and manufacturing facilities.

While a few laboratory spaces have modest vibration sensitivities, it turns out that environmental noise posed the greatest challenges to the project. The campus is located in a relatively undeveloped area, and it is subject to stringent regulations related to noise impacts on neighboring properties.

We helped develop campus-scale noise mitigations to quiet the site, and are continuing to work on the project as new experimental facilities come online.

Vibrasure played a crucial role in safeguarding Adidas' data center during the construction of a new structure at the Portland campus. Activities like structural demolition and micro-piling occurred directly above an existing data center, creating significant potential for highly-disruptive vibration impacts.

We installed and operated a construction vibration monitoring system to continuously track levels around the site. By setting precise vibration thresholds and employing remote-controlled monitoring equipment, Vibrasure ensured that construction activities did not disrupt the data center's sensitive operations, delivering real-time data and alerts to keep the project on track.

This state-of-the-art pharmaceutical R&D laboratory facility posed several acoustical and vibration challenges, particularly in spaces housing sensitive NMR and mass spectroscopy equipment.

Vibrasure performed comprehensive site studies, identifying mechanical tones and external environmental sources that could impact the building’s performance. Meanwhile, we benchmarked performance in existing laboratory spaces to provide both Users and the design team a better understanding of the microvibration environments already being utilized.

Our team developed vibration control strategies for the new building, ensuring the lab spaces met the stringent VC-A criterion, which is particularly challenging on upper floors. Additionally, we addressed noise transmission challenges in open-plan labs and offices, integrating acoustical treatments with the building’s architectural vision.

Vibrasure provided construction vibration monitoring along with pre/post-construction photo survey services for the Highway 101 at Carpinteria project in Santa Barbara County. With pile driving and other construction activities posing potential risks to nearby residential and commercial structures, Vibrasure also implemented a detailed Vibration Monitoring and Mitigation Plan.

Our team conducted baseline vibration surveys and utilized remote-controlled monitoring systems to continuously track vibration levels during construction. Real-time alerts were sent to the contractor, ensuring immediate response to vibration exceedances. Pre- and post-construction photo surveys were conducted to document the condition of structures, protecting both the contractor and property owners from claims of damage.

Vibrasure’s approach helped minimize disruption and safeguard structures while maintaining project progress.

As part of the G20 Renovation at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), Vibrasure conducted baseline testing to evaluate both vibration and sound intrusion within critical research spaces, including observation rooms used for sensitive primate studies.

While vibration was assessed, it was confirmed not to present any significant impacts in this environment. However, extensive sound intrusion, particularly from adjacent rooms and HVAC systems, was identified as a potential disruption to research.

Vibrasure provided detailed recommendations, including improving partition construction, sealing doors, and modifying HVAC systems to reduce crosstalk. These improvements were designed to enhance the acoustical environment, ensuring minimal distractions for researchers and creating a space conducive to high-quality scientific work with these sensitive non-human primates.

For the renovation and expansion of the Children’s Medical Surgical Center (CMSC) at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Vibrasure provided vibration and acoustical consulting to ensure that the sensitive environments within the hospital—such as laboratories and vivaria—met requirements.

Through an as-built noise and vibration survey, Vibrasure helped the design team navigate the possibilities and limitations of both the existing building and the expansion site. We developed an FEA model addressing a unique composite system used in the existing structure, and used the model outputs to validate different renovation options.

Vibrasure’s targeted solutions ensured that mechanical systems, structural dynamics, and noise control measures would support the overall success of the project for the human, animal, and instrument occupants.

For the new vivarium at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Vibrasure provided vibration and acoustical consulting to ensure the facility met the complex needs of animal research and surgical spaces.

Through comprehensive as-built testing and design-phase analyses, Vibrasure helped the project team understand the noise and vibration challenges posed by sensitive animal holding areas, surgical suites, and non-technical areas. Those non-technical areas required exceptional consideration of sound isolation, since the occupants in those areas were from different departments and were not involved in animal care.

The firm’s recommendations addressed sound isolation between human and animal spaces, mechanical noise from air handling units, and vibration control for rotating machinery. By mitigating these issues, Vibrasure played a key role in ensuring the facility achieved its performance goals, protecting both research integrity and the well-being of human and animal occupants alike.

Vibrasure provided vibration consulting for the CanmetMATERIALS (CMAT) facility, a leading research center for metals and materials science at McMaster Innovation Park, near Toronto.

With the proposed Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension nearby, the facility faced potential disruption from external vibrations, threatening the precision of high-tech instruments such as electron microscopes. Vibrasure conducted detailed assessments using both industry-standard vibration criterion (VC) curves as well as proprietary models of vibration sensitivity trends to evaluate the risks and guide the design team on mitigation strategies.

By addressing both current and future vibration sensitivities, Vibrasure ensured the facility’s research tools could maintain their performance, safeguarding CMAT's mission-critical work and preserving its role as a top-tier research environment.

Vibrasure was selected to provide vibration monitoring during the construction of the Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB) at the University of Washington, a project located next to sensitive research facilities. These spaces housed not only high-precision laboratory equipment, such as electron microscopes, but also small animals involved in critical research.

Vibrasure conducted comprehensive baseline vibration surveys and established alerting thresholds to ensure that construction activities like excavation and foundation work did not disrupt ongoing research or animal welfare.

Continuous, real-time monitoring enabled the construction team to adjust activities as needed, safeguarding both delicate instruments and the well-being of research animals, allowing the project to progress without compromising the adjacent labs' operations.

For the renovation of the MRI suite at UCSF’s Imaging Center, Vibrasure provided vibration and acoustical consulting to ensure the seamless integration of new, high-powered MRI technology. This project required careful vibration assessments due to the sensitivity of the imaging equipment, as well as comprehensive noise control strategies to mitigate potential disturbances from building systems and external sources.

Vibrasure conducted on-site vibration surveys and designed isolation solutions for mechanical and HVAC systems to protect the MRI from disruptive vibrations. Additionally, we recommended sound isolation measures for walls, doors, and adjacent spaces such as reading labs and control rooms to maintain acoustic comfort and privacy.

Vibrasure’s expertise ensured the MRI suite was optimized for both performance and patient care, meeting UCSF’s stringent standards for healthcare facilities.

Vibrasure provided vibration and acoustical consulting for the Grid Storage Launchpad at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The facility’s electron microscopy labs, crucial for advanced energy storage research, required precise microvibration control to ensure the accuracy of sensitive equipment.

We performed detailed on-site assessments to address risks from nearby cooling towers, mechanical systems, and transportation routes. Vibration isolation strategies were implemented to protect the labs, while acoustical solutions minimized mechanical noise in both laboratory and office areas.

By mitigating these environmental impacts, Vibrasure helped create a stable and quiet space conducive to high-performance research and innovation with robust and cost-effective designs.

For the installation of a Neurosurgery Hybrid Operating Room at UCSF Moffitt-Long Hospital, Vibrasure conducted comprehensive vibration assessments to ensure surgical precision would not be compromised by building vibrations.

The project required evaluating multiple potential locations, considering both ambient vibrations from environmental sources and internal impacts such as foot traffic and mechanical equipment.

Our detailed site surveys and structural response tests confirmed that the chosen 4th-floor location met stringent vibration criteria critical for sensitive neurosurgical procedures. We also provided guidance on mitigating potential vibration impacts during maintenance or construction on the floor above, safeguarding the OR’s operation without disruptions.

Vibrasure is currently assisting with the modernization of the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) for the U.S. Geological Survey in Madison, WI. The project encompasses highly sensitive areas such as vivarium spaces for animal research, specialized laboratories, and offices.

We conducted detailed vibration assessments to address walker-induced vibrations on structural floors, ensuring that both the animals housed in the facility and the sensitive research equipment were protected from disruptive vibrations. Additionally, we provided targeted acoustical recommendations to control noise in animal holding areas, labs, and office spaces, balancing the diverse needs of these environments.

By integrating noise and vibration control measures throughout the design, Vibrasure ensured a stable, quiet setting conducive to both animal welfare and high-performance research.

Vibrasure was engaged to evaluate and mitigate noise from the TotalEnergies drilling rig site in Arlington, TX, which is located near residential neighborhoods. The focus of the study was on addressing low-frequency noise generated by drilling operations, which had generated complaints from nearby residents.

We conducted noise measurements on-site, comparing current noise levels with local regulations. Our analysis identified areas where noise exceeded allowable limits during full operation, particularly from equipment like shale-shakers and centrifuges. Our team recommended mitigation strategies, including the use of sound enclosures and potential equipment relocation, helping the site achieve compliance and reduce noise impact on the surrounding community.

Vibrasure played a vital role in ensuring the success of the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory Expansion (AMLE) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, designed to provide space for two new next-generation electron microscopes. The project required exceptionally low microvibration levels to protect sensitive research instruments from both external and internal disturbances.

We conducted a site survey, mirroring one we had executed year prior; this allowed us to assess changes in the vibration environment over time. Earlier designs had been deemed uneconomical for such a small expansion, but our reviews surfaced cost-efficient options to address mechanical system isolation, roadway-induced vibrations, and foundational stability to meet stringent vibration criteria.

Additionally, we provided acoustical design recommendations, ensuring that sound isolation between instrument rooms and adjacent spaces maintained the quiet, controlled environment critical for cutting-edge microscopy research.