Building vibration testing behind one of Cambridge’s most advanced physics facilities
ISVR Consulting supported the Ray Dolby Centre’s £250m delivery with expert vibration analysis, design and monitoring for sensitive lab environments at the University of Cambridge
Client: BDP structural engineers in partnership with Bouygues UK
Sector: specialist low-vibration buildings
We were contracted to support the design and construction phases of the £250m Ray Dolby Centre, a cutting-edge physics facility at the University of Cambridge where stringent building vibration control was essential to ensure the operational accuracy of precision laboratory instrumentation. We initially reviewed the vibration specification, later conducting vibration testing and monitoring during the construction and pre-handover phases.
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Project at a glance
- Project: Ray Dolby Centre, University of Cambridge
- Building budget: £250m
- Vibration class targets: VC-A (50 µm/s) to VC-H (0.39 µm/s)
- Scope of work: Vibration specification review, construction-phase monitoring, vibration testing, and isolation strategy advisory
- Construction partners: BDP structural engineers, Bouygues UK
- Special features: Extensive footprint with vibration-critical labs isolated from road and internal mechanical vibration sources
The challenge: vibration control in buildings affected by road traffic and internal sources
The Ray Dolby Centre under construction
Opened in May 2025, the Ray Dolby Centre is the new home of physics at the University of Cambridge, offering state-of-the-art research facilities with a large number of teaching and collaborations spaces spread across a large footprint.
Our building vibration expertise was sought to ensure it would meet vibration requirements ranging from VC-A (=50 µm/s in the frequency range of 1 to 100 Hz) to VC-H (=0.39 µm/s in the frequency range of 1 to 100 Hz) for the most vibration-critical research areas.
The extensive footprint of the new facility introduced many challenges because the vibration-critical areas had to be adequately protected from external road traffic vibration from the surrounding road network. Internal building vibration isolation was also an issue, as the Centre would be prone to vibration from a vast network of internal sources, such as mechanical plant and services, which had to be vibration-isolated meticulously.
We worked with BDP structural engineers to oversee the delivery of the vibration design, vibration testing and monitoring in close partnership with Bouygues UK.
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Our solution: building vibration isolation and monitoring to de-risk the project
External vibration monitoring
ISVR Consulting was initially asked to peer review the vibration design specification developed during RIBA Stages 1 to 3. We then took a leading role during RIBA Stages 4 and 7 to ensure the requirements for in-situ vibration performance of the building could be achieved.
We carried out extensive vibration testing during the construction and pre-handover periods to ensure that the building would ultimately meet its vibration requirements. This gradual ‘de-risking’ process was integral to the success of the project and enabled the client to appraise the work in stages.
During the vibration testing programme, simultaneous monitoring was carried out inside and outside the building to ascertain the variability of the performance as a function of the prevailing ambient conditions.
Especially in the case of the basement, which houses experiments with the most stringent vibration requirements, every single plant item in operation or duct was designed with the highest percentage of building vibration isolation efficiency in mind.
Where it was not possible to isolate ‘at source’, specialist ‘floating floor’ areas were specified and tested to ensure that they would provide adequate isolation by mitigating vibration at the point where it transmits into the critical building structure.
“The vibration performance in a building is constantly evolving so ultimately it is important to be able to assess adequately the variability in a meaningful statistical sense, so that users’ expectations are managed accordingly.”
Dr Christos Karatsovis FIOA, Principal Consultant, ISVR Consulting
The outcome: a physics facility that meets stringent building vibration requirements
- Working in close collaboration with the Mechanical and Acoustics Team at BDP, we ensured the project successfully met the building vibration specification.
- The result is a building that is fit for its specialist purpose; this was achieved through a carefully managed and monitored process that mitigated the risk for the client and supported a smooth and efficient construction project.
Need expert building vibration analysis for your construction project?
From planning through to post-construction handover, our team provides expert building vibration analysis, isolation strategies and monitoring services tailored to the most demanding environments.
Whether you’re working on a high-spec lab, hospital or research facility, we’ll help ensure your building meets the most stringent vibration performance requirements.
Get in touch with ISVR Consulting to discuss your construction project today.
