Human Perception Thresholds of Horizontal Motion

Data are presented on the thresholds of perception of horizontal simple harmonic motion. Such data are needed in the evaluation of the designs of tall buildings with respect to the comfort of the occupants during severe storms. Measurements were made on 112 subjects in two motion simulators each of which represented an office environment. Periods of the oscillations were 5 sec, 10 sec and 15 sec. The frequency distributions of the perception thresholds among the subjects may be represented by the lognormal distribution. Period of oscillation, body movement, expectancy of building motion and body posture are found to be significant factors in the perception thresholds of horizontal periodic motion.