Vibration Level Estimate Calculator

Work out vibration level estimate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Vibration Level Estimate Calculator

Ground vibration attenuates as a power law with distance, with an exponent of 1.0-1.6 depending on soil and wave type. Peak particle velocity is the standard damage criterion: humans perceive vibration from around 0.3 mm/s, complaints begin near 1-5 mm/s and cosmetic cracking risk starts around 12-15 mm/s for residential structures.

Formula

Attenuation

PPV = PPV_reference x (reference distance / distance)^n

Worked example

With the default values below, Vibration Level Estimate Calculator returns Peak Particle Velocity At Receiver of 2.6265. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Reference Peak Particle Velocityminimum 0 mm/s: 25 mm/s
Reference Distanceminimum 0 m: 10 m
Distance To Receiverminimum 0 m: 50 m
Attenuation Exponentaccepts 0.1–3: 1.4

Results

Peak Particle Velocity At Receiver: 2.6265
Vibration Level: 40.29
Distance For 5 mm/s: 31.57
Structural Assessment: Barely perceptible

Step by step

1Values used
2Attenuation
3Peak Particle Velocity At Receiver= 2.6265
4Vibration Level= 40.29
5Distance For 5 mm/s= 31.57
6Structural Assessment= Barely perceptible

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Vibration limits for structures and human comfort are set by standards and permit conditions. Monitoring by a qualified specialist is required for blasting and piling near sensitive receptors.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Vibration limits for structures and human comfort are set by standards and permit conditions. Monitoring by a qualified specialist is required for blasting and piling near sensitive receptors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people complain well below damage thresholds?

Human perception of vibration is far more sensitive than building damage thresholds, by a factor of thirty or more. Complaint management, not structural safety, is usually the binding constraint.

What causes the worst vibration?

Blasting, impact piling, vibratory rollers and dynamic compaction. Resonance of building floors near 10-30 Hz amplifies ground motion and can make internal levels far higher than measured outside.