Application of EPS geofoam in attenuating ground vibrations during vibratory pile driving

Propagation of ground vibrations during urban construction activities has become a major concern due to severe damages to adjacent structures caused by vibrations. Vertical wave barriers are installed in the ground to minimise the detrimental effects of ground vibrations on surrounding structures. Different types of fill materials are used in constructing wave barriers. This paper examines the efficiency of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in-filled wave barriers on ground vibration attenuation during vibratory pile driving in different soil types. A three-dimensional finite element model developed based on the Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian approach has been adopted to simulate the deep penetration of a pile from the ground surface. The mechanical behaviour of EPS geofoam is simulated using a constitutive model developed incorporating the hardening plasticity shown by geofoam during laboratory experiments. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effect of geometric properties of the wave barrier and soil properties on attenuating the ground vibration propagation, which is quantified by evaluating the reduction in bending moments generated on an existing nearby pile.