Ground Vibration Mitigation Using Open and Infilled Trenches: FEM-Based Approach

The rise of ground-borne vibrations due to rapid urbanization and industrial activities has become a concern in modern times. Vibrations originating from construction activities, high-speed railway systems, blasting operations, and high-frequency machinery adversely affect nearby delicate structures, disrupt residential areas, and even pose risks to human health. These challenges necessitate the development of efficient and sustainable mitigation strategies. The current research builds on findings from prior studies on soil–rubber mixtures and extends them through numerical modeling conducted in PLAXIS 3D to attenuate ground vibrations and mitigate their adverse effects. The numerical simulations aim to analyze the effectiveness of trenches filled with soil–tire chip mixtures under harmonic loads. This study investigates key parameters such as the amplitude reduction ratio (ARR) at various distances from the vibration source. It examines the effects of trench dimensions (depth, width, and length), configurations (single or multiple trenches), and infill materials at a frequency of 30 Hz. Leveraging the low density and high damping capacity of tires, the research explores their potential to enhance vibration mitigation when mixed with soil significantly. The study highlights the dual advantages of recycling waste material and offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. It aims to establish a framework for integrating recycled materials into vibration mitigation strategies, addressing engineering challenges. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the dual-infilled soil–tire mixtures trench system.