Building vibration to traffic-induced ground motion

Due to rapid urbanization, more tall buildings are constructed closer to busy roadways than they used to be. Reports of vibrations felt by occupants of building structures caused by moving vehicles have been filed more frequently in metropolitan cities around the world. In this paper, traffic-induced ground vibrations measured at four soil sites are presented first. Their characteristics in terms of the site conditions and distance to road center are discussed. Responses of five hypothetical reinforced concrete structures subjected to field measured ground motions caused by normal traffic conditions are analyzed. Results are compared with various specifications of allowable vibration levels. Effects of traffic-induced ground motions on the safety of building structures adjacent to busy roadways, on human and on normal operation of sensitive equipment housed in those buildings are discussed.