Vibration Prediction Model for Building Developments Adjacent to Railways
Abstract
This paper presents the experimental and computational evaluation of ground-borne
noise and vibration impacts at sensitive receivers in the vicinity of existing track
sections. Vibration problems occur as an effect of train passings adjacent to buildings
and structures, thus needing to satisfy stringent vibration and ground-borne noise criteria.
Therefore, it is necessary to quantify comprehensively the vibration impact in the design
of new developments and the compliance with the provided criteria. Test measurements
of vibration propagation through the structure are often possible only under certain
circumstances since, based on the construction work progress, many relevant parts of
the analyzed structure have not yet been completed. In such cases, measurement data
is combined with computation data applying the Finite-Element-Method (FEM). The
structure is modelled as a basis for dynamic analyses and the subsequent tuning of
damping systems. The paper presents a semi-empirical prediction model on the basis of
measurements and computational models that was applied to international projects. One
of the projects is in close vicinity of one of the metro stations in Doha, including a sixlevel
underground parking structure with various facilities and a large development with
numerous towers of different use on top. Another project that will be presented in the
paper is a luxury hotel located adjacent to another station along one of the Doha metro
lines. Outcomes summarize the state of the art aforementioned topic.