Three universities had received a donated site at a river bank in a busy metropolitan setting surrounded by highways, bridges, light rail traffic, and long-term construction staging and activities among others. They proposed to construct a state-of-the art cancer research facility which will house high end inspection tools such as TEMs and SEMs. Due to…
VACC worked with Gensler Architects on the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Terminal T3W. We provided guidance regarding the mitigation of noise and vibration from mechanical systems, baggage handling systems, and exterior aircraft noise. Indoor architectural acoustics, speech intelligibility was evaluated using computer modeling. The acoustic design coordination effort was based on compliance with criteria…
Aircraft: Noise measurement & modeling Community noise control Aircraft Noise originates from three dominant sources: aircraft systems, engine/ mechanical noise, and aerodynamic noise. Scientific medical studies abound conclude that aircraft noise clearly and significantly impairs human health. As Aerospace is an intrinsic part of modern transportation, aircraft noise analysis must be implemented for the protection…
Environmental noise modeling & mitigation Many environmental noise problems arise from conflicting land uses in dense settings. Since transportation and communications infrastructure is by definition more intensive in populated settings, noise generated by such infrastructure presents unique challenges. A new Sprint installation in Santa Cruz, CA by SiteMaster (who construct and maintain wireless sites), began…
Many construction projects require advance planning to manage noise and vibration impacts on adjacent communities and structures, followed by careful monitoring to avoid exceeding local regulations. We can monitor not only land-based projects, but also water-based projects such as the wildlife impact of pile-driving in bridge construction. We own and maintain a full suite of…
Noise and vibration are concerns in most industrial settings, and controlling them requires attention to a multitude of sources and receivers. Some high-tech manufacturing processes need extraordinary vibrational stability. All facilities include human occupants who need safe and productive environments. Workplace noise limits set by OSHA and other regulatory agencies are intended to protect workers…
Infrastructure projects can pose unique challenges, arising from the construction processes required to build and maintain them. Our infrastructure work addresses all aspects of noise, vibration, and EMI/RF impacts, from worker safety & comfort to legal documentation for CEQA/NEPA, to meet environmental and community requirements, to unique project mitigations for technically-demanding neighbors such as high-tech…
Construction noise & vibration monitoring The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) awarded Shank/Balfour Beatty the construction contract for the New Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel project. The 4,200 foot long pipeline is one of 85 projects in the SFPUC’s $4.3 billion Water System Improvement Program. The project required excavation with a tunnel boring machine (TBM).…
Construction noise monitoring Environmental impact noise testing The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) contracted URS Corporation to conduct environmental analysis work on the Calaveras Replacement Dam Project. Dam construction required excavation of earth from one side of the reservoir, near a rural residential community. Per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), URS was required…
San Francisco International Airport Noise Study: Comprehensive community noise exposure analysis, focusing on low frequency noise generated by aircraft takeoffs with respect to the City of Millbrae community complaints. A diagnostic study was performed measuring event-based, discrete aircraft departures, community noise measurements, and aircraft noise modeling. Laboratory psychoacoustic tests were performed to analyze human annoyance…
