At Müller-BBM, the discipline of vibration control encompasses the special tasks that deal with the generation, transmission, effects and abatement of low-frequency vibrations.

The most significant producers of vibrations are rail traffic, construction activities, explosions and industrial sources - usually presses and stamping mills. In all of these cases, large masses are subjected to periodic or intermittent motion. The strong reaction forces that are thereby created excite low-frequency vibrations in the earth, either directly or via building foundations. These vibrations are propagated further, depending on the geological characteristics of the underlying subsoil. As a consequence, oscillations are excited in buildings in the vicinity of the source of the vibration. These oscillations propagate throughout the buildings and lead to vibration immissions in the floors and walls, as well as the emission of low-frequency airborne sound.

People perceive vibrations with their whole bodies. Excessively strong vibrations can affect one's sense of well-being. Low-frequency airborne sound is experienced via the sense of hearing as humming or an unpleasant droning sound, and it is often found to be highly annoying. We carry out measurements of the levels of vibration effects and low-frequency airborne sound, and check whether they comply with relevant guideline values.

Vibrations can cause settlement, cracks and other types of damage to buildings. In order to ensure the usability and stability of a building, we carry out the necessary computations, measurements and structural dynamics tests. If necessary, we install monitoring systems with automatic recording and alarm-generation capabilities. This is often advisable when there is construction work that produces frequent or intense vibrations.

It is often necessary to protect machines and facilities against the effects of vibrations. Semiconductor fabrication facilities, precision measurement equipment for quality control and analytical equipment in research institutes, such as electron microscopes, demand an environment that is as close as possible to being vibration-free. In such cases, it must be ensured that the vibrations at the location where the equipment or facility is installed remain below the level specified by the equipment manufacturer for the proper operation of his equipment. If no limits are specified, it is possible to work out suitable limits from similar equipment by simulating typical excitations.

In collaboration with operators of facilities that generate vibrations, we develop technical solutions to limit vibration emissions. We explain measures that can be used for the elastic decoupling of systems that generate vibrations. For the reduction of vibrations generated by rail traffic, we develop solutions such as sub-ballast mats, floating slab supports and other rail bedding systems. For construction work that produces a lot of vibrations, we develop operating concepts and make plans for the optimum utilisation of construction equipment and procedures to limit vibration emissions.

Vibration control measures that are implemented after the fact can usually only be realised at significant financial costs, if at all. When planning new buildings and facilities, special attention must therefore be given to vibration control. For facilities with systems that either generate a lot of vibrations or are sensitive to vibrations, we offer a complete planning service for vibration and vibration control. We advise architects, building engineers and facility constructors regarding the installation of equipment and questions relating to vibration isolation. For objects in the immediate vicinity of facilities that produce a lot of vibrations, we test and optimise the design of building ground plans, develop specifications for resonant frequencies of subfloor and floor structures, and in collaboration with statics engineers we develop elastic mounts for buildings and building components.

We also carry out vibration measurements, perform location evaluations, gather and preserve evidence for the registration of the actual vibration status and generate forecasts of expected vibration emissions. For the evaluation and optimization of machines and facilities, we can use the finite element method (FEM) to simulate the vibrations. If specific measures are necessary, we investigate the technically feasible options, explain their dynamic characteristics and judge their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Müller-BBM is publicly known in all federal Lands of Germany as a measurement authority for the investigation of vibrations in accordance with Article 26 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG).