Numerical Study of Vibrations Induced by Traffic in Structures and a Screen Alternative for Its Mitigation

Abstract

The effect of traffic vibrations on buildings is of special interest as its sources have multiplied becoming a concern for residents or for those who work, visit or preserve buildings of heritage value. The problem has their origin in characteristics such as the deterioration of the roads or concentration of public transport routes in adjacent streets. The effect of these vibrations has been the object of study in recent years, with works referred to especially experimental determinations, whose results can be used to assess whether the measurements obtained are within accepted values by some regulations. These results can also be used to calibrate global numerical models to determine this influence analyzing attenuation measures. This paper proposes a global model of finite elements that allows dealing with the treatment of traffic-induced vibrations in structures and analyzing an alternative of solution according to the location. The model includes the building under study, land and surrounding constructions to have orientative results of the whole including its boundary conditions. The actions caused by the traffic are established through impulses that define the load states to be applied. Finally, an alternative is proposed to analyze the options to mitigate the effect of the generated vibrations.