Predicting Train-Induced Vibrations in Multi-Story Buildings

Abstract

Urban societies face the challenge of working and living in environments filled with noise and vibration caused by construction, manufacturing, and transportation systems. Due to soaring prices of real estate in modern cities, air-rights developments are becoming more widespread. As residential towers and hotels are built over or adjacent to train stations, subways, and highways, traffic noise and vibration play an ever increasing role in causing discomfort to the occupants. Research laboratories conducting highly sensitive measurements and manufacturing plants for nanotechnology are also prone to disruption by feelable and audible vibrations. In this research, a wave propagation model is developed to predict train-induced vibrations in buildings. The analytical predictions are compared to experimental data obtained using an electrodynamic shaker in a full-scale building. The floor responses to controlled shaking are used to calibrate the wave propagation model by estimating model parameters using optimization techniques. Traininduced vibrations, introduced at the building foundation, are also measured and compared to analytical predictions.