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High-speed train (HST) vibrations in the dense residential and industrialized areas founded particularly on soft soil deposits, may lead to discomfort in daily human life, decrease the serviceability life of the structural elements and malfunctioning of the sensitive electronic equipment used in industrial production. In this paper, in-situ measurements were carried out in the free field conditions to examine the effects of ground vibrations caused by HSTs on the surrounding residential lands. Due to both variation in geological and topographical characteristics and railroad track-support properties, the section between "Gebze-Pamukova" has been considered as the target test area of the Istanbul-Ankara HST line in North-Western Turkey. This in-situ experimental study provides comprehensive measurement data that structural engineers and city planners can evaluate in the feasibility phase of the project when planning residential and industrial facilities in new settlements nearby railroads. • Site-specific ground vibrations were measured on Istanbul-Ankara high-speed railway. • In-situ investigations at the grade, embankment and culvert sections were performed. • The subsoil stiffness and stabilization of the route modifies vibration generation. • A resonance case is observed at the train passing on the elevated rail embankment. • Track earthworks affect the transmission of ground vibration to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the obtained results from the experimental studies describe the basic characteristics of wave propagation and ability of possible measures to reduce the impact of soil vibrations on structural response for both active and passive isolation cases. A series of field tests on the foundation vibrations generated by electrodynamic shaker are performed to examine the screening efficiency of open and in-filled trench barriers which are constructed for full-scale measurement. From field measurements of amplitude with and without the barrier, the amplitude reduction ratio is estimated at different points of interest. Wave propagating characteristics and frequency-dependent screening effects of the wave barriers are investigated according to various isolation material stiffnesses. The remarkable outcomes from these experimental studies can be briefly generalized as follows: backfilled trench with softer material than soil is more effective for the passive isolation than the active one. The reduction effects of wave barriers depend on the frequency of vibration source for both passive and active isolation cases. In-situ measurements confirm that vibration screening systems using open or in-filled trench barriers can be applied as a reduction measure for soil vibrations due to a moving load which is considered as stationary wave source in this problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]