Propagation Attenuation of Plane Waves in Saturated Soil by Pile Barriers

Extensive studies of pile barriers have been published in recent years. However, one important item in particular has been overlooked: the attenuation properties of multiple rows of piles embedded in fluid-saturated poroelastic soils. This paper investigates the propagation and attenuation of plane waves in fluid-saturated poroelastic soil by multiple rows of piles. First, the attenuation zones of a two-dimensional (2D) periodic structure consisting of piles and saturated soil are studied on the basis of the periodic theory of solid-state physics. The effects of physical parameters, such as the density and elastic modulus of soil, and geometric parameters of pile barriers on the attenuation zones are investigated comprehensively. Second, a numerical analytical model for ambient vibration attenuation using pile barriers is built, and the response analysis is performed in the frequency domain. Results of the present investigation provide a new concept for designing pile barriers to block midfrequency vibration in fluid-saturated poroelastic soil. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.