PERFORMANCE OF IN-FILLED MATERIALS USED AS WAVE BARRIER FOR VIBRATION ISOLATION

Abstract

Surface waves generated by factors other than seismic sources such as construction activities, vibratory machines, movement of high-speed traffic, etc. may produce vibration effects causing distress to nearby structures and discomfort to dwellers. Reduction in this effect is possible significantly by placing suitable wave barriers in the ground near the source or structure. The wave barrier reduces the ground vibration by interception, scattering and diffraction of the surface waves. Properly designed open or in-filled trenches can be used for an effective vibration isolation (or screening) system. Rectangular wave barriers are frequently used in engineering practice to reduce the ground vibrations caused by propagating surface (Rayleigh) waves of relatively small wave lengths. This study will aim to evaluate performance of rectangular trench wave barriers with in-filled materials as Crumbed tyre rubber, Rice husk and Saw dust. Thorough comparisons with rigorous numerical solutions and available experimental data have also done. Also, an extensive parametric investigation has conducted and only vertical ground vibrations are considered in this study. Full scale experimental study and numerical investigation have been carried out under this research study. Isolation of vertical ground vibration by rectangular open and in-filled (Stiffer than soil) trenches in a homogeneous isotropic visco-elastic half space has been studied. A 3D numerical study by using the FEM software PLAXIS-3D has been carried out in the study. Moreover, this study will identify the important dimensionless parameters that control the effectiveness of a vibration screening system. The results of experimental study has been validated by utilizing outcomes of numerical investigation. The comparison of results of experimental and numerical investigation has also been carried out. The performance of the in-filled material in rectangular trench wave barrier is presented in terms of efficiency percentage. Certainly, the isolation method will be helpful in overcoming unwanted effects of vibration in nearby structures due to factors other than seismic.