Finite Element Modelling of Tunnel Shielding in Vibration Measurements of Ground-Borne Noise

Several factors can affect vibration levels during transmission from a tunnel to the ground surface. This study investigates the effect of a tunnel cavity in bedrock with force excitation at the tunnel floor. The tunnel geometry affects the wave propagation around the tunnel and the directivity pattern of waves propagating to the ground surface. For instance, there is no direct propagation path of ground waves from the excitation in the tunnel floor to positions on the tunnel walls. The waves reaching the walls have been diffracted at the tunnel corners. This tunnel shielding effect is here investigated regarding sensor position and direction and directivity of wave propagation up to 1 kHz using the finite element method. An underground tunnel is modelled in 2D and 3D for a bedrock ground typical for Swedish conditions. The results show that the velocity levels at the tunnel floor are higher than at the tunnel wall. It is also shown that the tunnel shielding effect causes decreased vibration levels at mid-frequencies above the tunnel and significant level fluctuations, especially at higher frequencies. The results from the 3D modeling support the 2D results.