Influence of dynamic soil-structure interaction on building response to ground vibration

Vibration from traffic and pile driving are an increasing problem in densely populated areas. To assess vibration levels in new or existing buildings near construction sites, roads or railways in the design phase, valid models for prediction of wave transmission via the ground and into a building must be used. In this regard it is often assumed that a no significant back coupling from the building to the ground exists. Thus, a model with free-field vibrations from the ground provides input at the base of the building model. The aim of the present paper is to examine whether—and to which extent—this assumption makes sense. For this purpose, models with and without soil–structure interaction are compared for a variety of cases with respect to soil conditions, construction material and presence of a cellar under the building.