Protecting a Medical Facility During Adjacent Construction
During a major construction project adjacent to the Oxford House at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), excavation activities raised concerns about potential impacts on the structural integrity of the building. To proactively address these concerns, construction contractor Robins & Morton engaged BDI to implement a real-time monitoring program designed to ensure the safety of the facility and its occupants throughout the project.
BDI developed a tailored monitoring solution that included:
- Automated Total Station (ATS) surveying to track building movements with high precision
- Seismograph-based vibration monitoring to detect potentially damaging construction-induced vibrations
- Crackmeter displacement sensors installed at the foundation level to monitor activation or progression of existing cracks
The system was configured to automatically record and upload data to a web portal, allowing project stakeholders to access real-time measurements and historical trends. An integrated alerting system was also implemented to notify key personnel immediately if any thresholds were exceeded.
Over the course of the 12-month monitoring period, BDI provided monthly reports summarizing system performance, identifying notable trends, and recommending maintenance actions when needed. These insights enabled Robins & Morton to proceed confidently with construction while maintaining the safety and serviceability of the Oxford House.
BDI’s monitoring program helped ensure uninterrupted operation of a critical medical facility—delivering peace of mind through precision, transparency, and proactive risk management.
