Near-Field and Far-Field Ground-Borne Vibration Mitigation Using Bamboo-Filled Wave Barriers

Abstract

Ground-borne vibrations generated by various man-made activities pose a perennial threat to nearby buildings, impacting their serviceability and causing annoyance to residents. This study addresses the pressing demand for cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials capable of effectively mitigating such vibrations using bamboo-filled trenches. A series of field-scale vibration tests are conducted to investigate the near-field and far-field vibration screening behavior of bamboo-filled trenches (BT) and open trenches (OT). Two different configurations of BT are used for the current investigation. The influence of input frequency, source–trench distance, and trench configuration on the screening response of BT and OT is evaluated using field-scale vibration tests. The findings obtained from this study suggest that the efficacy of BT in near-field and far-field screening is satisfactory. It can be noticed that BT and OT are more effective in mitigating vibrations at higher frequencies. For near-field screening, the source–trench distance significantly influences the screening behavior of OT at lower frequencies, while the performance of BT is not significantly influenced. The efficacy of BT and OT is higher along the centerline than other angular lines emerging from the source. Near-field and far-field screening behavior of BT and OT is seen to differ significantly. In the screening process, the isolation efficacy of BT decreases as the volume of bamboo increases. The suitability of different types of wave barriers for mitigating unwanted ground-borne vibrations has drawn substantial attention from researchers. However, the utilization of natural and cost-effective filler materials for mitigating such vibrations remains scarce. In this regard, the present study introduces bamboo as a novel filler material for protecting essential structures from the detrimental effects of ground-borne vibrations. BT offer a wide range of practical advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, ecofriendliness, and ease of installation, dismantling, and reinstallation. Furthermore, BT overcome the limitations associated with OT, such as sloughing, sand pockets, and collapse, while effectively mitigating induced vibrations. The proposed technology will be of particular interest to construction industries, housing societies, and urban area residents affected by ground-borne vibrations generated from different activities.