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Impact of Surface Vibration on the LHC Operation

Overview:

As part of the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) upgrade at CERN, major civil engineering works are being carried out partially during the Large Hadron Collider operation. These activities as other building construction activities at the surface have the potential to generate ground vibrations that could impact the stability of sensitive components, such as the superconducting magnets.

CHALLENGE

LHC magnets are highly sensitive to even micro-scale vibrations. Unexpected ground motion caused by surface works, drilling, or construction near the accelerator could create beam stabilities or induce operational faults up to beam dump scenario. A predictive understanding of how vibrations propagate from construction zones to the LHC tunnel is essential for ensuring uninterrupted and safe operation.

SOLUTIONS

Our lab investigates and estimates the transmission of civil engineering-induced vibrations to the LHC tunnel and magnet structures. Using geophones, vibration sensors, and controlled surface vibration experiments, the team measured real data to model how vibrations travel through rock and structural interfaces and effects on the beam stability

BENEFITS

  • Risk Mitigation: Provides a data-driven basis for scheduling and planning civil engineering works without beam instabilities of the LHC operations.
  • Safety Assurance: Ensures mechanical integrity of LHC components without beam dumps or beam instabilities.
  • Scientific Knowledge:  Vibration thresholds at the surface were established to determine acceptable beam oscillations.

OUTCOME

This research enables CERN to proceed with essential HL-LHC Civil Engineering work such as the shafts excavation keeping the LHC in safe operation. The outcome of the study was crucial for schedule purpose.

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