GROUND VIBRATION IN THE VICINITY OF A STRIP LOAD - AN ELASTIC LAYER ON A RIGID FOUNDATION

The transmission of vibrations in the near field of the surface of the ground is investigated theoretically. The mathematical model is two-dimensional, and the interior of the ground is modelled as an elastic layer overlying a rigid foundation (or "bedrock"). The work is divided into two parts: first, an analysis of the natural modes of free vibration in the layer; and, secondly, the forced response of the layer, for which the surface is assumed to be subjected to a harmonic load acting on a strip of finite width. The solution for the second part is obtained by using a dynamic stiffness matrix analysis. Results presented include the natural mode shapes of free vibration in the layer, attenuation of surface vibration as a function of distance from the load, and the effect on displacement at the centre of the load of varying the load width. © 1992.