Prediction and Mitigation of Traffic Induced Ground Vibrations in an Urban Zone

This paper describes how ground vibrations generated by heavy trucks and buses are a common source of environmental problems. They can reach levels that may cause nuisance to residents, damage to near-by structures, and perturbation in the functioning of sensitive equipment. These vibrations are produced mainly when the vehicle's wheels pass over a speed reducer such as a road hump or a speed cushion. This paper investigates the size and nature of these vibrations and suggests a suitable method to reduce the vibration levels. Using a half-car model with four degrees of freedom, the dynamic response of vehicle to the road irregularity is simulated. The equation of motion of the fully coupled system (vehicle-road unevenness) is solved step by step in the time domain, and then the resultant load is used in 3D numerical model to predict the traffic induced vibrations. The proposed model is validated and used to analyze the effect of different types of traffic calming on the vibrations levels in the free field. Furthermore, numerical simulations are carried out to study the efficiency of trench barriers. The results show that some road unevenness geometry under certain vehicle speeds could result in very high dynamic effects and thus a perceptible level of traffic induced vibration. A significant vibration reduction can be achieved using a suitable measure like a trench barrier.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781845645205
• Corporate Authors:

  WIT Press

  Ashurst Lodge
  Ashurst, Southampton  United Kingdom  SO40 7AA
• Authors:
  • Mhanna, M
  • Sadek, M
  • Shahrour, I
• Conference:
  • 17th International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment
  • Location: Pisa , Italy
  • Date: 2011-6-6 to 2011-6-8
• Publication Date: 2011-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 701-711
• Monograph Title: Urban Transport XVII. Urban Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Annoyance; Buses; Damping (Physics); Heavy duty trucks; Mathematical models; Simulation; Speed control humps; Traffic calming; Vibration
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I15: Environment; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01353821
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9781845645205
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 19 2011 10:51AM