Experimental study for performance evaluation of in-filled materials in trench wave barriers for vibration screening

Abstract

Vibrations which have been caused by non-seismic factors as high-speed rails, highway traffic, construction activities, machine foundations, blasting, underground explosions, etc. have not been considered safe for human life and structures around. Vibrations which have been generated by these sources have caused of occupant discomfort, settlement and shaking of building foundations, structural and non-structural damages to adjacent buildings, malfunctioning of ultra-sensitive medical equipment, etc. Vibration screeners in form of open or in-filled trench wave barriers have been used to reduce the effects of vibrations. This paper has described an experimental study for evaluating the performance of in-filled materials in trench wave barriers in an elastic, homogeneous and isotropic half space. The in-filled materials used are as rice husk, crumbed tyre rubber and sawdust. Key properties of the in-filled materials are have also been determined by geo-technical characterization to ascertain its suitability in terms of properties of in-filled materials. The important factors such as material damping and boundary conditions of soil have also been included. The effectiveness of geometric dimensions of the trench wave barrier, shear wave velocity and location of source from the barrier have also been investigated. In this study, a dimensionless approach have been used, where the geometrical parameters have been normalized by one of the characteristics i.e. wavelength of Rayleigh oscillatory wave in elastic half-space. The influence of parameters related to vibration isolation has been discussed in detail. Recommendations have been provided for the optimal selection of the geometry of trench wave barriers.