Acoustics Noise Vibration staff understand the construction process for a wide range of projects from refurbishments to major infrastructure and buildings. These have required the development of practical demolition & construction management plans, modelling of potential impacts, acoustic testing of building constructions, and noise and vibration monitoring.

The Acoustics Goal:

The goal of the noise and vibration work is to enable the construction to proceed in a safe and environmentally acceptable way. This has included the use of:

• 3D modelling software to predict noise levels and present noise contours to relevant authorities,
• review of proposed construction activities to agree on construction methods that will reduce noise and vibration to acceptable standards, and
• use of wireless noise and vibration monitoring systems to enable SMS and email alerts and warnings to be sent to the onsite contractors to manage the levels and office staff to enable easy reporting of incidents.

Key Elements:

Construction projects have included:

• refurbishment of heritage buildings and structures,
• new building projects near sensitive laser laboratories, mass spectrograph facilities, residential, health buildings,
• piling over road tunnels,
• infrastructure and oil & gas projects near residential and livestock,
• construction transport routes, and
• underwater noise impacts from piling and dredging as part of transportation, port and harbour developments.

The work has involved:

• review of contracts to interpret noise and vibration management and measurement requirements,
• preparation of management plans and monitoring programs,
• setting noise and vibration criteria based on relevant standards, guidelines and experience with other projects,
• 3D modelling of noise impacts,
• attended noise and vibration monitoring to confirm suitability of the criteria and compliance,
• review of construction methods to reduce noise and vibration emissions,
• noise logging using equipment with audio capability,
• vibration logging using wireless systems to allow remote access of data,
• acoustic testing of constructions,
• analysis of noise and vibration data,
• monthly reporting, and
• compliance reporting.

Projects undertaken by Acoustics Noise Vibration staff have included:

• ANZAC square redevelopment, Brisbane City
• Water Street apartments, Fortitude Valley
• Government House, Paddington
• ALDI food store site, Miami
• Shafston Ave apartments, Kangaroo Point
• Acoustic testing and certification of Secret Rooms for Defence at Cabarala, Enoggera and Townsville
• Workers construction camps Thangool and Chinchilla
• QGC and SANTOS Pipe laydown areas and haul routes Thangool and Port Alma
• Learning Innovation Building construction vibration, UQ St Lucia Campus
• Glebe Bridge Maintenance sand blasting
• West Connex Stage 2, Road Tunnel Sydney – preparation of construction scenarios for modelling of tunnel surface works including effectiveness of temporary acoustic sheds, and preparation of construction noise assessment report to NSW Interim Construction Noise Guideline
• Dudgeon Point & Hay Point Coal Terminal construction including piling underwater noise impacts, management of technical work
• Rolleston Coal Mine and rail loop construction noise and vibration assessment for Environmental Impact Study
• Queensland Institute of Medical Research at Herston, noise & vibration management plan
• Inspections and defects reporting for numerous: Commercial, Residential, Retail, Educational, Health, Defence, Community Buildings