Allowable Distance from Impact Pile Driving to Prevent Structural Damage Considering Limits in Different Standards

Abstract

Pile driving has usually been the most prevalent method of pile installation, although the ground vibrations generated by pile driving operations have a high damage potential for structures in the vicinity and are a major concern. Hence, the intention of this study is first to facilitate problems associated with the ground vibration issues and then to evaluate the allowable distance of different structures adjacent to an impact pile driving site to prevent structural damage based on the acceptable vibration levels of reliable standards and a report in terms of peak particle velocity (PPV). In this regard, the numerical simulation of a continuous impact pile driving process for a case study is executed from the ground surface using the ALE (arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian) adaptive mesh method rather than common discontinuous pile driving models. Based on the results, peak vertical velocity is the most appropriate approach for the determination of PPV and the investigation of the ground vibrations induced during construction activities. Furthermore, the most comprehensive standard is concluded to assess transient vibrations caused by construction activities. For practical applications, maximum peak allowable PPV using the standard resultant was presented to prevent structural damage to different structures.