Smartphone-Based Evaluation of Building Floor Vibrations for Rapid Screening
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33603/jki.v14i2.12407Keywords:
acceleration, frequency, serviceability, vibrationAbstract
Floor vibrations can affect user comfort even though they do not always indicate structural capacity impairment. This study evaluated vibrations on the third floor of a four-story shophouse and assessed the use of smartphones as an initial screening method. Measurements were conducted at three locations using an iPhone 11 and the G-Force Meter application with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. The recording duration of 40–60 seconds was standardized to 30 seconds for analysis. Vibrations were recorded during normal activities, particularly when users were walking in corridors or outdoor stairs. Acceleration data were processed through gravity removal, detrending, FIR band-pass filtering, Fast Fourier Transform, and numerical integration. The analysis results showed a dominant frequency of 14.42–18.64 Hz, RMS acceleration of 0.048–0.094 m/s², estimated peak velocity of 2.992–4.832 mm/s, and estimated peak drift of 0.010–0.025 mm. Based on ISO 10137, all points are above the comfort limits for office buildings, while comparison with Minister of Environment Decree No. 49 of 1996 shows vibration levels within the permissible to uncomfortable range. These results indicate comfort issues but do not guarantee structural safety. Smartphones have the potential to be used as an initial screening tool, while technical decisions require calibrated measurements and further evaluation.
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