ENGINEERING GUIDE
Start with what the measurement must establish
Investigating a machine fault, checking vibration affecting a building and assessing human exposure are different tasks. Explain the intended use of the results before selecting the sensors or recording duration.
Describe the source and the response
State where vibration is observed, when it began and how it changes with operating conditions. For machinery, include operating speeds and loads where available. For buildings, describe the suspected source, affected locations and timing of the events.
Prepare the site information
- Drawings or photographs identifying the object and accessible measurement locations.
- The operating or construction schedule during which the relevant events occur.
- Available previous measurements and changes made since they were recorded.
- Site access, power and other practical constraints.
- The required deadline and intended recipient of the report.
Agree on recording and evaluation
The plan should define measurement points and directions, the relevant frequency range, recording duration and information needed to identify operating events. A brief observation may not represent an intermittent source or the full operating cycle.
What a useful report explains
The report should document the equipment and recording settings, show where and under which conditions data were acquired, and explain the selected evaluation method. Results for machinery, structural effects and human exposure should be interpreted against the criteria appropriate to each task.
When further investigation is needed
If measurements reveal an unexplained response, a modal test or numerical analysis may help assess a possible mechanism. The additional work should follow a defined question, such as checking a suspected resonance or evaluating a support modification.