Field measurement and analysis of roadway filtering on traffic-induced ground vibrations

Abstract

This paper discusses the effects of roadway system on filtering the traffic-induced ground vibrations. An impact hammer was used to generate ground vibrations. Free-field ground vibrations were measured at four sites adjacent to roadways with the vibration source in the free filed or on the roadways. Transfer functions of the wave propagation in the free field and from the roadway to the free field are calculated in this study. Numerical results of transfer function and peak ground vibrations are presented and discussed with respect to the site and roadway conditions. It is found that the road structure, viz, pavement and the drain adjacent to the roadway, is very effective in filtering out the ground vibrations near the road. But its effectiveness in reducing the ground vibrations at locations away from the road becomes insignificant.