When designing Bestseller’s large wooden distribution centre, we faced a clear challenge: ensuring the stability and vibration control of the structure. Due to the intensive use of machinery and forklift trucks, combined with a relatively light timber floor, vibration nuisance was virtually inevitable. It was crucial to thoroughly investigate this challenge in advance and find manageable solutions. Thanks to thorough preliminary research and realistic requirements, a building that is both stable and comfortable could be realised with relatively minor adjustments.
The floor structure consists of 120 mm CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), covered with a waterproof membrane, onto which a 120 mm thick concrete floor is poured. It is noteworthy that there is no structural connection between the CLT and the concrete, which makes the vibration behaviour particularly complex.
The building to scale
To ensure certainty, a realistic mock-up was built in advance at main contractor Van de Ven in Veghel. This test setup comprised four columns, main and secondary beams, and a complete CLT+concrete floor, including all fixings and membranes to replicate the actual behaviour as accurately as possible.
A thorough analysis
The vibration behaviour was analysed by Cauberg Huygen, using the following approach:
• a literature review of the required comfort levels for both office and distribution areas;
• measurements on existing machinery to identify the main sources of vibration;
• the creation of an FEM model to predict the impact on the timber structure in advance;
• field measurements on the mock-up to validate the model’s assumptions
The conclusions were clear and directly applicable:
In practice, CLT and concrete work well together in relation to vibrations. Despite the absence of structural connections and the membrane, there is sufficient microscopic interaction.
Please note!
The transition between the office and the distribution area is a critical point. The structure is interrupted and designed with expansion joints at this point, meaning that vibrations require particular attention. The main source of disruptive vibrations comes from forklift trucks placing pallets. By adjusting lifting heights, driving routes and unloading locations, this disruption can be effectively minimised. Vibration-sensitive installations such as pallet robots require a separate, rigid and heavy-duty structure.
The strength of Pelecon
This project demonstrates exactly where Pelecon’s strength lies. Much of what we do is invisible, yet indispensable for a safe and comfortable building. Our tagline ‘the invisible strength’ is therefore not just a slogan: we ensure that structures function stably, safely and reliably, even when you cannot see them.