Groundborne vibration generated by mechanized construction activities

Groundborne vibration is one of many ways in which construction works can have an adverse effect on the environment, by causing damage to property or, more commonly, by disturbance to the occupants of the structures, The magnitude of vibration, specified by the peak particle velocity, can be quantified in a number of different ways, This paper discusses the effect of the means of specification on the reported magnitude. There are many mechanized construction processes which are potential sources of intrusive levels of vibration, including piling, vibratory compaction, dynamic compaction and tunnelling, These have been the subject of studies by many authors, who have proposed empirical prediction methods which can be used as a basis for preliminary assessment of potential vibration levels. This paper brings together these predictors into a single document which will enable informed preliminary predictions to be made. In locations where the potential for vibration to cause damage or intrusion is predicted, a number of options are available to mitigate the problem. These techniques are discussed and the results of a study of the effectiveness of one method are presented.