INVESTIGATION OF EARTH BORNE VIBRATIONS DUE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND/OR CONSTRUCTION BLASTING. FINAL REPORT

This study was undertaken to determine the magnitude of ground vibrations produced by traffic and/or construction blasting. Such information could provide a tool in defense of legal claims concerning physical damage to nearby properties. An engineering seismograph was used to collect vibration data at highway traffic model sites, elevated structure sites, heavy construction traffic sites, and traffic complaint sites. The most pronounced earth borne vibrations were found to be from heavy vehicles traveling on rough pavements at highway speeds within ten feet of the vibration source. Vibration was lowest on smooth pavements regardless of the speed and distance from the vibration source. Only 1.6 percent of the traffic model vector sum means exceeded the 0.2 in./sec. limiting velocity recommended in AASHTO R8-81. None of the elevated structure sites or construction site haul traffic gave earth borne vibration levels above AASHTO recommended guidelines. At the complaint sites, only one close measurement distance (31 feet) gave levels above 0.2 in./sec. It was recommended that the Department make routine investigation of vibration levels due to construction-oriented sources at construction sites in urban areas within 50 feet of residential and/or business structures. This routine data gathering will provide base line data that will protect the Department from possible future litigation due to vibration induced damages.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2008/fr_178.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Transportation Research Center

  4101 Gourrier Avenue
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70808

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bokun, S G
• Publication Date: 1986-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 99 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction sites; Distance; Pavements; Presplitting (Blasting); Surface course (Pavements); Texture; Traffic speed; Vibration
• Old TRIS Terms: Ground-borne vibration; Traffic vibrations
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00463274
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA-85/178
• Contract Numbers: 82-1S
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1987 12:00AM