ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT The driving of piling by impact hammer or vibrodriver causes ground vibrations which can be disturbing to neighbours and may even cause risk of damage to nearby buildings or buried service pipes. A large database has been assembled of piling-induced ground surface vibrations in the 2m to 20 m region from driven piles, with simultaneous recording of radial, transverse and vertical components at each of five stations. A selective recall facility allows perusal of appropriate records and so assists in a subjective estimate of vibrations in a proposed piling activity. The work was then developed into a predictive device, using three databases and algorithms to build a knowledge based system. The system is capable of responding to enquiries based upon pile and soil conditions to estimate hammer energies, select appropriate hammers, estimate vibrations and compare the estimates with statutory or selected vibration levels.
