3-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC-INDUCED GROUND VIBRATIONS

A new numerical method is introduced to analyze traffic-induced ground vibrations three-dimensionally on the basis of a dynamic elastic finite element method. A set of examples are examined to investigate the effect of pavement structures on reduction of ground vibrations. This technique, using an extended thin-layered element method, can account not only for irregularities in near fields, including pavement structures, but also for traveling waves to far fields. Furthermore, weights, velocities, intervals, and vibrating conditions of vehicles can be taken into account. Now, given that moving loads are composed of static and dynamic components, the analytical results indicate that the dynamic component is a much more significant factor in causing ground vibrations than the static components. It is understood from the results that pavement structures have a large influence on ground vibrations, and that stiffness and damping of the pavement materials are the important factors. This statement confirms that we can reduce ground vibrations by using appropriate pavement structures.