Protection of a monumental building against traffic-induced vibrations

To preserve an ancient building in Rome against traffic-induced vibrations, an anti-vibration system was introduced under the paving of the near Lungotevere road. An experimental investigation was recently carried out by ENEA in order to analyse the traffic-induced vibrations in the basement of the building and the effectiveness of the intervention. Wave propagation in the soil around the building in presence of the antivibration paving was compared with that in absence of the anti-vibration paving. The study showed the importance of the taking into account the contribution of other structures in the area to the dynamic behaviour of the whole system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.