Technology
CALMFLOOR is truly groundbreaking active mass damping (AMD) technology. Each CALMFLOOR AMD uses an inertial mass driven by an electrical motor to deliver active vibration control that relies on a continuous sensing of structural motion.
This generates the requisite control force that delivers an unprecedented high level of effective damping – exactly where it’s needed and reducing out any excessive floor vibration.
3-30Hz
Operating frequency range
35kg (77 lbs)
Moving Mass
Up to 90%
Typical vibration reduction
Up to 40x less
Moving mass than comparable passive solutions
How does it work?
CALMFLOOR uses active feedback control to continuously respond to the dynamic behaviour of the floor.
Detect
Precision sensors continuously measure the movement of the floor.
Control
A high-speed digital controller processes the measured motion and determines the required control force in real time. CALMFLOOR precisely controls its internal moving mass to generate forces that act onthe structure, increasing effective damping and reducing vibration.
Result
The result is a floor that responds less strongly to dynamic excitation and settles more quickly after being disturbed.
Why active mass damping?
Achieve more with less mass. Passive tuned mass dampers generate their effect through the movement of a relatively large physical mass. The amount of mass required can become substantial, particularly when significant levels of damping are required.
CALMFLOOR uses active control to generate a much greater damping effect from a much smaller moving mass.
At just 35 kg, CALMFLOOR’s internal moving mass can be up to 40 times smaller than that required by a comparable passive tuned mass damper.
35 kg moving mass – Compact and lightweight
Multiple-mode control – Across a broad frequency range
Actively controlled – Responds continuously to the structure
Adaptable – Less sensitive to changes in structural properties
The result is powerful vibration control without imposing large additional loads on the structure or consuming valuable building space.
See the difference.
CALMFLOOR performance can be measured directly from the dynamic response of the structure. The frequency response chart shows a simulated floor with CALMFLOOR switched OFF and ON. The peak corresponds to a structural mode of vibration. With CALMFLOOR active, the resonant peak is substantially reduced, demonstrating the additional damping introduced into the structure.
CALMFLOOR OFF
Pronounced structural resonances
CALMFLOOR ON
Resonances substantially suppressed
Multiple modes.
One active system.
Real floors rarely vibrate at just one frequency. Floor structures typically have multiple modes of vibration that contribute to their dynamic response. Their properties can also vary as loading, fit-out and occupancy change.
A conventional passive tuned mass damper is mechanically tuned around a particular structural frequency. Controlling several modes can therefore require multiple devices or substantially more moving mass. CALMFLOOR is different.
Its active control system can simultaneously provide damping to multiple structural modes across its operating range, typically between 3 Hz and 30 Hz. This broad control capability also makes CALMFLOOR considerably less sensitive to changes in the dynamic properties of the structure.
Performance you can measure. Up to 90% reduction in vibration.
CALMFLOOR doesn’t just change theoretical measures of structural performance. The improvement can be seen directly in measured vibration. Depending on the structure, excitation and performance objective, CALMFLOOR can deliver substantial reductions in floor vibration, with reductions of up to 90% demonstrated in real applications.
Performance is measured during commissioning, allowing the improvement delivered by the system to be demonstrated on the actual structure.
Sophisticated technology. Simple deployment.
CALMFLOOR combines advanced sensing, real-time control, precision actuation, electronics and software within a compact self-contained unit. The sophisticated engineering happens inside the system. Installing it does not require major intervention to the structure.
Compact
At just 630 × 385 × 122 mm, CALMFLOOR can be accommodated discreetly within a building.
Lightweight
Each unit weighs approximately 67 kg, including its 35 kg moving mass.
Energy efficient
Typical average power consumption is only 20–25W during normal operation.
Connected
Every CALMFLOOR system can be connected for remote monitoring, configuration and performance analysis.
What makes CALMFLOOR so different?
First of its kind
The first modern digital solution to reduce problem floor vibrations in any existing, retrofit and new building.
Fast installation
Fast, install-in-a-day technology that’s cost-effective and virtually maintenance free by design.
40x less moving mass
Up to 40 times less moving mass than in tuned mass dampers (TMDs) with similar performance.
Minimal disruption
No structural intervention required, eliminating associated excess disruption, cost and materials.
Net Zero realised
Transform a building’s performance, value and embodied carbon with Net Zero ambitions realised.
Ideal for laboratories
Meet stringent lab-quality performance criteria – ideally suited to office space-to-lab conversions.
Up to 90% vibration reduction
Patented, industry-first active mass damper technology that delivers up to 90% reduction in floor vibrations.
Vibrations reduced from a range sources
Reduce vertical floor vibrations from a wide range of sources, e.g. internal pedestrian footfall, external, road and rail traffic, etc.
Real-time monitoring
Secure online portal for real-time status, performance and health monitoring of all installed units and floors at the location of the units.
Install almost anywhere
CALMFLOOR is designed for straightforward integration into both new and existing buildings. Depending on the structure and available space, units can be mounted directly to the floor, suspended beneath it, or attached to structural beams. Multiple CALMFLOOR units can be deployed where required, allowing the solution to be scaled to the size, dynamic characteristics and performance requirements of the structure.
Installed above the structural floor and typically concealed within the floor build-up or other available space.
Installed below the floor structure, allowing the occupied floor above to remainun affected.
Attached directly to the supporting structure where this provides the most effective or practical installation location.
Discover
CALM Connect
CALMFLOOR doesn’t stop measuring the structure once commissioning is complete. Connected systems provide ongoing visibility of system health and structural vibration performance through CALM Connect.
CALM Connect enables remote monitoring, diagnostics and performance analysis, providing confidence that the system continues to operate as intended
Technical Specification
The key technical features that deliver total design freedom
- Typical frequency range: 3-30Hz
- Dimensions: 630 x 385 x 122mm (25 x 15 x 5”)
- Power: 110-240V, 40/60Hz AC single phase 5A supply required
- Network connection: Cat 5e/6 Ethernet
- Weight: 67 kg (148lbs) total, internal moving mass 35kg (77lbs)
GB Patent No. 2 605 874. Patent pending in other regions.
Next steps…
For more information about CALMFLOOR please contact the team today.
