Numerical modeling of free field vibrations due to pile driving using a dynamic soil-structure interaction formulation

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical model for the prediction of free field vibrations due to vibratory and impact pile driving. As the focus is on the response in the far field, where deformations are relatively small, a linear elastic constitutive behavior is assumed for the soil. The free field vibrations are calculated by means of a coupled FE–BE model using a subdomain formulation. The results show that, in the near field, the response of the soil is dominated by a vertically polarized shear wave, whereas in the far field, Rayleigh waves dominate the ground vibration and body waves are importantly attenuated. Finally, the computed ground vibrations are compared with the results of field measurements reported in the literature.