Forensic engineering of construction vibrations

Construction equipment and operations generate ground vibrations that can affect adjacent and remote structures, and vibration effects range from disturbance of working conditions for sensitive devices and processes to reduction of structure serviceability and durability. Forensic engineering analysis of construction vibrations includes assessment of construction dynamic sources and their energy; soil contribution to wave propagation and soil deformations; evaluation of different structural responses to ground vibrations such as direct vibration effects on structures, resonant structural vibrations, resonant soil layer vibrations and dynamic settlement; condition surveys of structures that are imperative and contain complete information on structural responses and damage from vibration excitations; mitigation measures to prevent vibration effects; calculation of ground vibrations before construction; and appropriate assessment of measured vibrations. Detrimental soil vibrations and structural damage from construction sources can be prevented.