Experimental investigation of railway train-induced vibrations of surrounding ground and a nearby multi-story building

In this paper, a field experiment was carried out to study train-induced environmental vibrations. During the field experiment, velocity responses were measured at different locations of a six-story masonry structure near the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and along a small road adjacent to the building. The results show that the velocity response levels of the environmental ground and the building floors increase with train speed, and attenuate with the distance to the railway track. Heavier freight trains indu...     

Influence of local geological pattern on values of vibrations induced by road traffic

Buildings in the proximity of roads can be affected by vibrations induced by traffic. Local geological pattern is necessary to be taken into account because it has significant influence on values of vibrations and their characteristics. This paper summarizes results of experimental measurements. Four different types of buildings in different types of local geology were used for this purpose. The obtained results document that the generation of significant vibrations is mostly due to heavy vehicles. Some maximum velocity values exceed acceptable limits according to the Czech Technical Standard 73 0040 for evaluation of technical seismicity effect on buildings. Cosmetic damage, meaning the cracking of plaster, might occur due to traffic vibrations.     

On the dynamics and structure of Earth’s oscillations in December 2004 from seismic gravimeter observations in St. Petersburg

The paper describes phenomena of large-scale deformations, in particular, long-term deformation, observed on the planet during December 1–12, 2004, before a cycle of enhanced seismic activity. The spectrum of seismic vibrations with periods of 1 to 9 hr is calculated. A high correlation is established between the frequency distribution of significant vibrations recognizable in this spectrum and vibrations that should be excited most frequently in accordance with the statistical spectrum of the seismogravitational oscillations of the Earth.     

Propagation and attenuation characteristics of various ground vibrations

In order to effectively control vibration related problems, the development of a reliable vibration monitoring system and the proper assessment of attenuation characteristics of various vibrations are essential. Various ground vibrations caused by train loading, blasting, friction pile driving and hydraulic hammer compaction were measured using 3D geophones inside of the borehole as well as on the ground surface, and the propagation and attenuation characteristics of various source generated vibrations were investigated by analyzing particle motions. For the geometric modeling of various vibrations, the types of various sources and their induced waves were characterized and the geometric damping coefficients were determined. The measured attenuation data matched well with the predicted data when using the suggested geometric damping coefficient, and the estimated soil damping ratios were quite reasonable taking soil type of the site and experiencing strain level into consideration.     

大型模拟地震振动台的特殊控制

阐述了多度大型地震模拟振动台由于试件重心高,偏心以及几何等原因在一个轴线方向上振动量,造成对其他轴线方向运动的干扰,同时介绍了克服这些干扰的控制原理。     

Attenuation of ground vibrations using in-filled wave barriers

Ground vibrations generated by construction activities can adversely affect the structural health of adjacent buildings and foundations supporting them. Therefore propagation and rate of attenuation of construction induced ground vibrations is important during construction activities, particularly in urban areas where constructions are carried out in the vicinity of existing structures. In practice wave barriers are installed in the ground to mitigate the ground vibration propagation and hence to minimise the effect of ground vibrations on surrounding structures. Different types of fill materials such as bentonite, EPS geofoam and concrete are used in constructing wave barriers. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model is developed to study the efficiency of different fill materials in attenuating ground vibrations. The model is first verified using data from full scale field experiments, where EPS geofoam has been used as a fill material in wave barriers. Then the same model has been used to evaluate the efficiency of open trenches, water filled wave barriers and EPS geofoam filled wave barriers on attenuation of ground vibrations. EPS geofoam is found to be the most efficient fill material, providing attenuation efficiency closer to open trenches. The efficiency of EPS geofoam and water filled wave barriers can be significantly increased by increasing the depth of the wave barrier.     

Two-dimensional earthquake vibrations in sedimentary basins – SH waves

In this paper, long- and short-period vibrations in sedimentary basins are studied. First, two-dimensional, long-period vibrations of deep semi-circular basins for excitation by earthquake faults, which can be inside or outside the basin, are analyzed. Second, recurring intermediate peak frequencies of Fourier-spectrum amplitudes of recorded accelerations along the east–west axis of the San Fernando Valley during the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake are reviewed. It is shown that these intermediate frequencies cannot be associated with vibrations of the entire San Fernando basin because the frequency range of typical strong-motion recordings (0.04 to 15.0 s) is too narrow to include the long-period vibration of the whole basin. These intermediate vibrations are consistent with Kanai׳s one-dimensional models consisting of parallel layers and excited by vertically incident shear waves.     

Recovery of long-period ground vibrations from short-period seismometer records

The possibilities of recovering long-period ground vibrations from the records of short-period seismometers, geophones, and vibration sensors are considered. The procedures of recovering vibrations with periods equal to several minutes and several hours from initial seismograms recorded by short-period seismometers are presented.     

Longitudinal vibrations of tall concrete faced rockfill dams in narrow canyons

Longitudinal vibrations of concrete-faced rockfill dams may cause significant compressive stresses and joint openings in the slab panels. The behavior of such dams subjected to longitudinal and vertical vibrations is investigated, based on numerical simulation of the staged construction, reservoir impoundment and seismic shaking. The static analysis uses a hyperbolic model for the rockfill, whereas the seismic analysis uses a nonlinear hysteretic model which accounts for the dynamic properties. A damage plasticity model is used for the reinforced concrete and frictional contact behavior is considered at the base and vertical sides of the concrete panels. The seismic analysis takes into account the flexibility of the canyon rock and potential dynamic rockfill settlements. An existing 150 m–high dam is used to investigate the effect of longitudinal vibrations on the compressive stresses near the slab-to-slab vertical interfaces and the opening of the joints. The effect of dynamic settlements is examined and comparisons are made to the response from upstream/downstream and combined vibrations. The effectiveness of introducing 5 cm-wide cuts at selected vertical joints to reduce slab compression in existing CFRDs is demonstrated. The presented results offer useful insight into the effect of longitudinal vibrations on the seismic behavior of CFRDs.     

Torsional response of a rigid circular foundation on a saturated half-space to SH waves

An analytical approach is used to study the torsional vibrations of a rigid circular foundation resting on saturated soil to obliquely incident SH waves. Biot’s poroelastic dynamic theory is considered to characterize the saturated soil below the foundation, which is solved by Hankel transform later. In order to consider the scattering phenomena caused by the existence of the foundation, the total wave field in soil is classified into free-field, rigid-body scattering field and radiation scattering field. According to the classification of wave field and the mixed boundary-value conditions between the soil and the foundation, torsional vibrations of the foundation are formulated in two sets of dual integral equations. Then, the dual integral equations are reduced to Fredholm integral equation of the second kind to be solved. Combining with the dynamic equilibrium equations of the foundation, the expressions for the torsional vibrations of the foundation are obtained. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the influence of excitation frequency, incident angle, the torsional inertia moment of the foundation and permeability of the saturated half-space on the torsional vibrations of the foundation.     

Global nature of the seismogravitational oscillations of the Earth

Direct experimental evidence for the global nature of the seismogravitational vibrations of the Earth within the range of 0.03–0.1 mHz is obtained on the basis of the analysis of synchronous observations with the help of vertical seismographs in Eurasia and North Africa. A number of stable, statistically significant vibrations are discovered. Analysis of 66 observations at ten stations showed that stable global vibrations exist in five frequency bands (45–51, 54–58, 61–65, 67–69, and 81–83 μHz).     

饱和地基中空沟近场隔振的现场试验与二维半解析边界元分析

动力机器运行和车辆行驶等会产生振动污染,危及邻近建筑物安全和干扰精密仪器设备正常运行等。这些振动污染可通过在地基中设置空沟的方式来降低或消除。针对饱和地基上明置动力机器基础的环境振动影响及空沟近场隔振问题,进行了饱和地基上空沟近场隔振的现场试验,并对试验结果进行了无量纲化分析;基于饱和土半解析边界元法,分别推导了动力机器基础环境振动影响和空沟近场隔振的边界元方程;在此基础上,详细研究了空沟对动力机器基础振动影响的隔振效果,分析了空沟深度、宽度和距振源距离对其隔振效果的影响。结果表明:空沟能够有效的降低动力机器基础的环境振动影响;空沟宽度对其隔振效果影响相对较小,而空沟深度对其隔振效果影响较大,为获得较好的隔振效果,空沟深度建议取1倍Rayleigh波波长;空沟距振源距离对其隔振效果也有较大影响,距离越远则隔振效果也越好,当被保护建筑距振源较远时,建议空沟在被保护建筑附近设置。此外,在某些特殊情况下,空沟隔振系统会由于共振现象而出现隔振效果劣化的现象,在工程设计中应予以注意。     

Deciphering seismic and normal-force fluctuation signatures of debris flows: An experimental assessment of effects of flow composition and dynamics

Debris flows are gravity-driven mass movements that are common natural hazards in mountain regions worldwide. Previous work has shown that measurements of ground vibrations are capable of detecting the timing, speed, and location of debris flows. A remaining question is to what extent additional flow properties, such as grain-size distribution and flow depth can be inferred reliably from seismic data. Here, we experimentally explore the relation of seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations with debris-flow composition and dynamics. We use a 5.4 m long and 0.3 m wide channel inclined at 20°, equipped with a geophone plate and force plate. We show that seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations induced by debris flows are strongly correlated, and that both are affected by debris-flow composition. We find that the effects of the large-particle distribution on seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations are substantially more pronounced than the effects of water fraction, clay fraction, and flow volume, especially when normalized by flow depth. We further show that for flows with similar coarse-particle distributions seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations can be reasonably well related to flow depth, even if total flow volume, water fraction, and the size distribution of fines varies. Our experimental results shed light on how changes in large-particle, clay, and water fractions affect the seismic and force-fluctuation signatures of debris flows, and provide important guidelines for their interpretation.     

Wave barrier of lime–cement columns against train-induced ground-borne vibrations

This paper presents a comparison between measured train-induced ground vibrations in the free-field before and after countermeasures had been taken at Kåhög near Gothenburg in Sweden. A wave barrier of lime–cement columns was constructed parallel to the railway in order to reduce the ground-borne vibrations inside nearby buildings. On top of the barrier an embankment was built to reduce air-borne vibrations. Due to the wave barrier design, part of the energy content of the waves was expected to be reflected by the screen and transmitted energy was expected to be partly scattered. Contribution from the noise-embankment was not thought likely but could not be ruled out due to its fairly large mass and its close proximity to the railway. The effect of the mitigating measures resulted in a 67% reduction of the maximum particle velocity at 30 m and 41% at 60 m from the railway. A simple two-dimensional finite element model has been used to study the relative importance of the wave barrier and the noise-embankment as contributors to the mitigation recorded of the ground vibrations in the field. It is concluded with respect to ground vibrations that both the barrier and the embankment had a mitigating effect but that the contribution from the barrier dominated. Furthermore, it is seen from the field results as well as the simulation that the effect of the mitigating action is reduced with increasing distance from the railway.     

5跨连续中承式钢管混凝土拱桥抗震性能分析

钢管混凝土拱桥由于桥型优美在城市桥梁中得到广泛应用,对某正在设计的5跨连续巾承式钢管混凝土拱桥进行了动力特性和抗震性能分析,根据该桥的结构特点,建立了’该桥的空间有限元分析模型,计算桥梁的自振特性,基于反应谱方法计算了该桥在横向、纵向水平地震反应,计算结果表明：该桥拱肋的面外刚度相对较小,在桥梁振动中首先出现拱肋的面外振动;桥梁的竖向振动表现为拱肋与桥面的整体竖向振动,其基频明显比拱肋面外振动大;主拱肋的轴力由横桥向地震动控制,其他内力由纵桥向地震动控制;地震作用对弯矩的影响较大,故主拱的内力计算应考虑地震力的影响;在设计计算中除常规关键点应作为控制点外,内外拱连接处也应作为控制点。计算结果已为该桥的抗震设计提供了参考。     

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.     

Torsional and coupled vibrations of embedded footings

An approximate analytical solution is presented for torsional vibrations of footings partially embedded into a semi-infinite medium or a stratum. Simple formulas derived for pure torsional motion make it possible to apply a correction for the effect of embedment to the known solutions of surface footings. The solution completes an approach to the analysis of all modes of footing vibrations, including the coupled modes. The approach to coupled modes is illustrated by the solution of coupled response involving horizontal translation, rocking and torsion. Formulas are presented for stiffness and damping coefficients that can be used in the analysis of embedded footings or structures supported by such footings Field experiments were conducted with concrete footings featuring circular, square and rectangular bases and variable embedment depths. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions of pure torsional vibrations.     

Building vibrations and dynamic pavement loads induced by transit buses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bus suspension systems on building vibrations and dynamic pavement loads. Building vibrations and pavement loads induced by two instrumented buses having different characteristics were measured simultaneously under controlled field conditions. Field tests were performed at several vehicle speeds, normal and reduced tire pressures, and with roads having good surface condition as well as abrupt surface irregularities. Tests were carried out at two vibration complaint sites in Montréal. The level and frequency content of vibrations and loads induced by the two buses were evaluated and compared. The results show that the dynamic component of pavement loads induced by the two buses were significantly different but the difference in building vibration levels was not as significant.     

Reduction in ground vibrations by using shaped landscapes

Reduction in traffic-induced ground vibrations by the use of shaped landscapes is investigated here by shaping the landscape surrounding a high-tech facility, using the landscape thus produced as a wave obstacle. The effects of the geometric parameters of a shaped landscape were examined in parametric studies. An architectural landscape design was also investigated in terms of its effectiveness in reducing traffic-induced ground vibrations. Finite element models, analysed in the frequency domain, were employed. The models involve a layer of soil and the underlying bedrock. It was found that anywhere from an appreciable reduction to an appreciable amplification of the vibrations produced can occur, depending upon the geometric parameters of the shaped landscape involved. The most effective shape was found for a topography that acted as a waveguide that reduced the level of vibration by approximately 35%.