Letter from the Editor – Good Vibrations

Welcome to our Good Vibrations Issue!

To celebrate NoiseCon2026, the theme of this issue is the same as the theme of the conference where we focus on vibration and how it affects us. Vibration is fundamental not only to humans, but to all living things. From the microscopic hairs on a caterpillar’s body to the structural rumble beneath a busy pier, vibration is everywhere, and understanding it remains as relevant as ever.

We open with something that might just be our most delightful contribution yet: a look at how caterpillars sense their world not through ears, but through hair-like flow-sensing receptors that detect vibration. Nature, it turns out, has been solving vibration problems far longer than we have.

We then present an article of vibration criteria that guide engineers in assessing whether a structure, machine, or environment meets acceptable performance standards. Complementing this, we present a case study of vibration monitoring for the replacement project at the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

We then provide a practical reference on vibration data for mechanical equipment, a resource that practitioners will find valuable in day-to-day assessment work. The issue then turns to design and mitigation. Our article on floating floor design explores how important it can be to properly vent the design.

We round out the issue with some compelling case studies. We present a detective case study on tire problem that was solved using vibration analysis (watch out Sherlock Holmes, we have a new detective in the house!). We then present a monumental staircase vibration case study that illustrates how even seemingly simple structures can present complex dynamic challenges.

We also present some real-world examples where vibration may lead to noise concern and how to design for that. Finally, we present a case study of where the same part printed by different FDM printers is compared for their material properties.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer to the field, we hope this issue gives you a renewed appreciation for the science of vibration, and perhaps a few new tools for your work.

Also, see you at NoiseCon 2026! We are working on some exciting ‘games’ for you so look out for that.

Do you have an article or topic in mind for a future issue? We love to hear from our readers. Share your feedback with us and follow us on LinkedIn for updates.

Editor Sunit Girdhar