Finite element investigation of traffic induced vibrations

This paper investigates the characteristics of building vibrations induced by adjacent moving trucks using finite element analyses. A finite element is developed to simulate complicated vehicles, and theoretical as well as experimental methods are used to validate it. The parametric study indicates that road irregularity is the major cause of truck vibrations around their vertical natural frequencies. If the natural frequencies of the truck approach the building's natural frequencies, resonance occurs, and building vibrations increase. To reduce building vibrations generated by moving trucks, road roughness should be as small as possible. A simpler method to reduce truck vibrations is to slow down the truck. Moreover, the coincidence of the building's first natural frequency and the truck's vertical natural frequency should be avoided.