Effects of Vibrations on Buildings and on Their Occupants

Ground-borne vibrations resulting from construction activity or road traffic may set vibrations in buildings. The effects of these induced vibrations on buildings may range from no effect to minor cosmetic damage to serious damage, depending on factors such as the amplitude and time-dependence of the vibration, the building structure and the type of soil it rests on, and the duration of exposure. Various codes and standards from various countries set recommendations regarding the exposure of buildings to soil–induced vibrations with emphasis on the characteristics of the vibration signals for limiting their effects on the building structure and for not reducing the comfort of their tenants. These facts are shortly reviewed in this presentation in conjunction with the effects of vibrations on the human body.