Vibration Performance Assessment for the New Dock A Building
Analyzing structural behavior and user comfort under realistic loading conditions.
At Zurich Airport, the new Dock A replacement building is setting a new standard for timber construction.
The extensive use of timber in both the dock and its supporting structure is exceptional for airport infrastructure on this scale. Using a renewable material on the passenger floors also reflects a circular approach to construction. At the same time, timber’s low weight makes it especially well suited to the project’s structural concept, which calls for long spans over the service roads beneath the dock.
A project of this scale requires meticulous planning, including floor slabs spanning up to 14.5 meters. To ensure a high level of comfort and safety, the building’s vibration performance is being evaluated in accordance with international standards. Initiated by PIRMIN JUNG, a leading engineering and planning firm specializing in timber construction and a key partner in the Dock A replacement project, the test program is being carried out in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The goal is to understand how vibrations across large floor areas are perceived under realistic conditions.
A dedicated test rig at Erne Holzbau in Rheinfelden replicates the exact spans planned for Dock A. During the testing phase, a range of configurations is being simulated to analyze structural behavior and user comfort under realistic loading conditions. The system is based on timber-concrete composite elements, which combine high load-bearing capacity with efficient use of resources. An external vibration damper is also being tested to further improve performance.
The results will be compiled in a research report documenting the project’s quality and safety standards in a transparent and comprehensible way.
