Detailed vibration analysis of entertainment venues is essential to designing a performing structure within a reasonable budget. Coordinated crowd excitation during games and concerts may cause excessive vibrations and adversely affect human comfort. We build detailed finite element models of the structure, investigate its dynamic characteristics and perform enhanced vibration analyses that take into account the human-structure interaction.
The MGM Music Hall at Fenway project involved two tiers of seating area composed of precast concrete bleachers spanning as far as 36 ft. These areas were supported by steel trusses and raker beams with cantilever lengths reaching out over 20 ft.
Vibration criteria were selected according to the recommendations of AISC Design Guide -11, 2nd edition, for rhythmic activity occupancies.
A detailed finite element model of the whole structure was constructed, including precast bleachers and cantilever steel framing. Dynamic crowd loading associated with lively concerts was applied to the model and the resulting vibration responses were calculated and compared against established vibration criteria.
Structural framing was re-designed to satisfy vibration requirements.
585 Kendall is a unique mixed-use development that houses a 30,000 SF performing arts center, 585 Arts, with a 380-seat theater called The Platform. The three-story venue is followed by 13 stories and 500,000 SF research lab and office space leased by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
The main theater, The Platform, and the rehearsal stage hold vibration-generating activities such as performing artists dancing and jumping in unison, while the sensitive equipment in the research laboratories right above requires a low-vibration environment.
Our team engineered vibration-resilient building infrastructure that allows both uses to coexist without compromise. Using a detailed finite element model of the structure, we simulated realistic vibration sources from performances in the main theater and the rehearsal stage. Collaborating closely with Global Arts Live, we defined dynamic load scenarios representative of live events and analyzed their potential impact on adjacent laboratory spaces.
Through advanced vibration analysis and strategic, cost-effective structural enhancements, we successfully controlled vibration transmission to safeguard the integrity of a leading pharmaceuticals’ research facility, while maintaining the desired experiential quality for performances in a live event venue sitting directly below.
For inquiries about Vibration Consulting, please use this email form to contact Dr. Omer Tigli.
