A review of two theories of motion sickness and their implications for tall building motion sway

Low-frequency building vibration is known to induce symptoms of motion sickness in some occupants. This paper examines how the adoption of a theory of motion sickness, in conjunction with a dose-response model might inform the real-world problem of managing and designing standards for tall building motion sway. Building designers require an understanding of human responses to low-dosage motion that is not adequately considered by research into motion sickness. The traditional framework of Sensory Conflict Theory is contrasted with Postural Instability Theory. The most severe responses to motion (i.e., vomiting) are not experienced by occupants of wind-excited buildings. It is predicted that typical response sets to low-dosage motion (sleepiness and fatigue), which has not previously been measured in occupants of tall-buildings, are experienced by building occupants. These low-dose symptoms may either be masked from observation by the activity of occupants or misattributed to the demands of a typical working day. An investigation of the real-world relationship between building motion and the observation of low-dose motion sickness symptoms and a degradation of workplace performance would quantify these effects and reveal whether a greater focus on designing for occupant comfort is needed.