The surface wave attenuation as the effect of vibratory compaction of building embankments

Abstract

There are two different sources of dynamic effects observed on buildings and structures - natural phenomena and human activities. Both may be related to the mining production or civil engineering construction. Ground vibrations induced by human activities characterize much lower intensity compared to the natural phenomena like earthquakes. However, due to the high urban development and sustainable development ideas, preventing the destructive effect of man-made vibrations belongs to the most important problems considering the structure and soil dynamics. Construction activities, road and railway traffic, and operation of machines, including crushing of spoil material (debris) from demolition works are the main categories in the classification of human activities which can generate ground vibrations. This paper takes a special interest in the first of the factors mentioned above. It is evident that the main construction or demolition activities causing dynamic problems in close proximity of structures are caused by pile or sheet pile driving and dynamic soil compaction by means of vibratory rollers or impulse compactors; as well as by demolition of structures, rock excavation and soil deep compaction by explosives. The vibration monitoring process needed to prevent structures from damage is described by various standards. They give particular criteria depending on various technologies and construction materials. The reduction of man-made ground vibrations is now the crucial scope of interest due to the need for sustainable technologies implementation. The negative environmental impact may be reduced at the source. Some new specialized methods are also proposed for minimizing the vibration transmission with the use of an active generator. The aim of the presented paper is to describe the modelling of dynamic vibratory soil compaction, using finite element method. The presented solution is addressed to short time vibration, generated by geotechnical works. This conclusion can be helpful by panning geotechnical works in the neighbourhood of vibration sensitive buildings/structures.