Use of Gas Cushions for Field Measurement and Analysis of Hybrid Vibration Isolation Wall

Abstract

Ground vibration induced by traffic, such as occurs on roads, highways, and railroads, may become a nuisance to nearby inhabitants and buildings. These problems have recently increased, especially in urban areas as higher environmental quality is required. Although many efforts have been made to mitigate ground vibration, in some cases, more powerful measures are needed. In this paper, a three-layered hybrid-type vibration isolation wall that uses gas cushions was developed. To confirm the vibration isolation performance of this wall, field experiments were conducted. Ground vibration generated by a mechanical oscillator was measured before and after the construction work at the same points. Ground deformation was also measured when the wall was built and when some cushions burst. It became clear from the measurements that the wall was as effective as open trenches, especially in lower frequencies such as 5 to 10 Hz. On the basis of the findings, vibration isolation effects are highly recommended.