Construction vibration monitoring to DIN 4150-3

Construction-stage vibration monitoring with continuous threshold monitoring and automatic alerting. For piling works, demolition, compaction and blasting near sensitive structures.

DIN 4150-3
Measuring point at the structure Continuous operation
  • Measured quantity Vibration velocity in mm/s
  • Measuring directions x / y / z
  • Assessment Guidance values of DIN 4150-3
  • Threshold set per building type
  • Alerting automatic on exceedance
  • Transmission LTE-M, without mains power

Why measure

Why construction-stage vibration monitoring is essential

Wherever piling, compacting, demolishing or blasting takes place, vibrations arise that propagate through the ground to neighbouring structures. Continuous construction vibration monitoring makes visible whether the guidance values of DIN 4150-3, the German standard for the effects of vibration on structures, are being kept.

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Protect neighbouring buildings

Vibrations can trigger cracks and settlement in third-party buildings. The measurement detects critical values before damage occurs.

Meet the burden of proof

Clients, neighbours and authorities often require objective evidence that the guidance values of DIN 4150-3 are being kept.

Reduce liability

Seamlessly documented measurement data removes the basis for unjustified damage claims and creates clarity.

Bring residents along

Keeping comfort limits to DIN 4150-2 and ISO 2631-2 reduces complaints and increases local acceptance.

React in real time

If the vibration velocity approaches the threshold, the method can be adjusted immediately, instead of hoping afterwards.

Back up the forecast

A preliminary assessment to DIN 4150-1 sets the frame. Only the measurement proves that it is actually kept during operation.

Simulation

The guidance value decides when an alert is raised

The central measured quantity is the vibration velocity in mm/s. Choose the building type and trigger an event. If an event exceeds the guidance value of DIN 4150-3, the system switches immediately to alarm.

System active, within range
Peak 0.0 mm/s Threshold 5 mm/s

Threshold exceeded

Alert sent by email & SMS

Demonstration only

Guidance values

The guidance values of DIN 4150-3 at a glance

For short-term vibrations such as pile driving impacts, demolition or blasting, DIN 4150-3 specifies graduated guidance values for the vibration velocity. If they are kept, the standard indicates that no damage is to be expected.

Building type (Table 1)Foundation 1 to 10 HzFoundation 10 to 50 HzFoundation 50 to 100 HzTop floor, horizontal
Commercial and industrial buildings 20 mm/s 20 to 40 mm/s 40 to 50 mm/s 40 mm/s
Residential buildings and comparable structures 5 mm/s 5 to 15 mm/s 15 to 20 mm/s 15 mm/s
Particularly sensitive, heritage-worthy structures 3 mm/s 3 to 8 mm/s 8 to 10 mm/s 8 mm/s

The values at the foundation increase linearly within the frequency interval. At the top floor level, a frequency-independent value applies for the horizontal vibration velocity.

All three parts of the standard explained in detail in the knowledge article "DIN 4150 explained clearly".

To the DIN 4150 guide
Measuring device with illuminated optics on a weathered steel profile

Measuring principle

How the measurement to DIN 4150-3 proceeds

The measurement is taken at the structure to be protected, not at the source of the vibration, because the standard assesses the effect, not the cause. The sensors capture the vibration velocity in all three spatial directions and additionally assign a frequency to each event. Only this combination allows comparison with the frequency-dependent guidance values.

  1. 01

    Determine measuring points

    Sensors are fitted to the foundation and, where relevant, to the top floor level of the affected structure.

  2. 02

    Capture continuously

    The sensor measures the vibration velocity event-based around the clock and stores every relevant event with a timestamp.

  3. 03

    Check threshold

    Every event is checked against the stored guidance value and the associated frequency.

  4. 04

    Alert automatically

    If a value approaches or exceeds the threshold, an alert is sent immediately by email and SMS to those responsible.

Technology

The IoT vibration sensor

Compact, self-sufficient and robust for use on construction sites.

SHAKEdot vibration sensor, blue housing with antenna, cut out
Sensor
3-axis MEMS, ±2 g
Frequency range
DC to 500 Hz, 250 Hz sampling
Measuring range
PPV 0 to 60 mm/s
Transmission
LTE-M & NB-IoT, MQTT
Storage
32 GB internal
Runtime
up to 6 months (battery)
Housing
100 x 100 x 60 mm
Extra
Integrated temperature measurement

The device behind these values is the vibration sensor SHAKEdot. Its product page has the housing, mounting and data transmission in detail.

Application areas

Typical reasons for construction vibration monitoring

Wherever energy is introduced into the ground and sensitive or third-party structures stand nearby.

Driving & extracting sheet piles
Excavation pit support
Demolition & dismantling
Blasting
Dynamic soil compaction
Drilling & milling works
Tunnel boring
Works near neighbouring buildings

Temporary or permanent

Construction vibration monitoring or vibration monitoring?

Both approaches measure vibration, but pursue different goals. Construction vibration monitoring accompanies a construction phase, vibration monitoring permanently monitors a structure or a facility.

This page

Construction vibration monitoring

Construction-stage & temporary

  • Tied to a specific construction phase
  • Focus on short-term vibration to DIN 4150-3
  • Threshold monitoring with instant alerting
  • Documentation for clients, neighbours and authorities
Related solution

Vibration monitoring

Permanent & long-term

  • Monitoring over years instead of weeks
  • Focus on structural health and trends
  • Detects gradual changes to a structure or facility
  • For existing structures and industrial plants
To vibration monitoring

Construction vibration monitoring for your project

Tell us about the method, nearby buildings and the time frame. We recommend measuring points and guidance values and get back to you shortly with a no-obligation quote.

Peter Nater Peter Nater

Data platform

All readings on one platform

The sensors transmit their readings wirelessly to the data platform, where they are evaluated, documented and continuously checked against your thresholds.

  • AI-assisted data analysis
  • User-focused reporting
  • Continuous evaluation
  • Warning and alarm thresholds
  • Alerts by email and text message
  • Remote access around the clock
More on monitoring & alerting
Monitoring platform Sample view
Reading history within limits
Warning threshold
  • AI-assisted data analysis Condition within limits
  • User-focused reporting Report ready
  • Alerting Thresholds monitored
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about construction vibration monitoring

When is construction vibration monitoring to DIN 4150 required?
Construction vibration monitoring is always advisable when vibration-intensive works such as piling, compacting, demolition, drilling or blasting take place near sensitive or third-party structures. Clients, neighbours or authorities often require objective evidence that the guidance values of DIN 4150-3 are being kept. A forecast to DIN 4150-1 is usually not sufficient for this.
What exactly is captured during the measurement?
The vibration velocity is measured in millimetres per second, in all three spatial directions, at the structure to be protected. For each event, the system additionally captures the frequency, because the guidance values of DIN 4150-3 at the foundation are frequency-dependent. A single mm/s value without the associated frequency is not meaningful.
What happens if a guidance value is exceeded?
An exceedance does not automatically mean damage, but that damage can no longer be ruled out and a closer assessment is needed. Our system then alerts immediately by email and SMS, so the works can be adjusted in time, for example through lower energy input, greater distances or a gentler method.
Does the sensor need to be connected to mains power?
No. The sensor technology is wireless and self-sufficient. It transmits data via LTE-M or NB-IoT and, depending on use, operates on battery power for up to six months. No cables need to be run and no mains power supplied, which significantly simplifies installation on the construction site.
Where is the sensor fitted, at the source or at the building?
At the affected structure, not at the source of the vibration. DIN 4150-3 assesses the effect of the vibration on the structure, not the cause. Typical measuring points are the foundation and, where relevant, the top floor level. This way the measurement reflects the actual load on the building fabric.
Do I receive documentation of the measured values?
Yes. All events are continuously collected and available as a traceable time series. If the vibration velocity stays below the guidance values for the entire period, a clean record is available at the end. If an exceedance occurs, it is documented when and to what extent it happened.

Project inquiry

Construction vibration monitoring for your project

Tell us about the method, nearby buildings and the time frame. We recommend measuring points and guidance values and get back to you shortly with a no-obligation quote.

+49 6742 8599600 DE +41 41 670 00 11 CH info@infrasolute.com
Project inquiry