Attenuation of ground vibrations due to vibratory pile driving using EPS geofoam wave barriers

Propagation of ground vibrations during urban construction activities has become a major concern due to the severe damages the vibrations can cause to adjacent structures. Vertical wave barriers are installed in the ground to isolate the ground vibration propagation and thus minimising the effect on surrounding structures. Different types of fill materials are used in constructing the wave barriers. This paper examines the effect of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in-filled wave barriers on ground vibration attenuation during vibratory pile driving. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effect of geometric properties of the wave barrier on attenuating the ground vibration propagation, which is quantified by evaluating the reduction in bending moments generated on an existing nearby pile.The results presented are based on a dynamic finite element model and the mechanical behaviour of EPS geofoam is simulated using a constitutive model based on hardening plasticity, which is an extension of the Drucker Prager yield criteria.