Strategy for predicting railway-induced vibrations in buildings

Urban densification is a way of accommodating population growth. Land adjacent to railways is used for constructing residences and other buildings, and new tramway systems are planned. Under these circumstances, nearby buildings will be exposed to vibrations and noise that may become a nuisance for the residents. It is necessary, even at an early stage of planning, to assess the extent of the vibrations and state requirements for the building in order to avoid costly changes at later stages. Ground vibration induced by railway traffic is studied in the paper. The aim is to develop a strategy for predicting vibrations in nearby buildings in an early stage of the building process. The strategy is based on that there is a fairly good knowledge of the properties of the ground and that some on-site vibration measurements are made. By combining these with finite-element analysis, the vibration level in typical buildings can be predicted. Design of building foundations and structural design can then be addressed. Field vibration measurements along railway tracks as well as at built-up areas have been carried out. Conclusions from the measurements and numerical simulation s are discussed to establish a strategy for predicting railway-induced vibrations.