Experimental Implementation of Active Control to Reduce Annoying Floor Vibrations

When excessive levels of floor vibration disturb the occupants or impair the function of a facility, repair measures are often sought. This paper discusses the role of damping and the application of active control in reducing unacceptable floor motion. The practical implementation of active control, using an electro-magnetic force actuator in a computer controlled velocity feedback loop, is also described. Finally, experimental results for two temporary installations, an office floor and a chemistry laboratory floor, are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the active control scheme.