Ground vibrations from sheetpile driving in urban environment: measurements, analysis and effects on buildings and occupants

Following a comprehensive review of the subject of man-made ground vibrations, measurements of ground vibration caused by vibratory sheetpile driving in recent soil deposits are reported in terms of particle velocities vs, distance from the source of vibration. The measurements were conducted on paved surfaces and sidewalks in the inner urban environment. Reconstructed particle displacement paths indicated, predominantly, vertical vibrations of the Rayleigh type. The attenuation rate of vibrations with distance was compared to published results of other studies and satisfactory agreement was found to exist. Values of; particle velocity measured in this study, however, were lower than corresponding values of other studies under comparable values of rated vibratory kinetic energy. This is possibly due to different soil conditions. Average and upper bound linear log-log attenuation relationships are proposed, which fit the results of measurements and are representative of the conditions likely to be encountered in the urban environment. Measurement of vibrations on higher floors of multistory reinforced concrete buildings indicated a significant amplification of vertical vibration and an average curve for amplification magnitude vs. floor level was fitted to the results of measurements. A comparison of measured values of vibration with the observed performance of buildings and with damage threshold values suggested by existing codes and standards indicated that the latter do not provide safety against damage caused by vibratory densification of loose sandy soils. On the other hand, the existing criteria for human exposure to vibrations in buildings, according to the results of this study, seem to adequately define the degrees of human discomfort. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.