Vibrations Associated with Pile Driving

Abstract

The developed prediction equation relating peak particle velocity and scaled energy can be used to predict expected maximum levels of vibrations from pile driving. Peak particle velocity can be utilized as a criterion for safe levels of vibration. Vibration levels can be reduced by various means such as pre-coring, or selection of low-displacement piles. However, reducing transmitted vibrations by reducing hammer energy may be an unwise solution. Increasing pile impedance may be a more judicious means of reducing pile driving vibrations. Finally, the effects of pile driving vibrations in densifying cohesionless soils may be more significant to adjacent structures than any vibrations transmitted directly to those structures; unfortunately such soils also favor the use of vibratory pile drivers and extractors.