A detailed vibration assessment of the impulses from a drop-hammer piling operation was carried out in response to concerns from local residents about potential structural damage to their houses. The results showed that the vibration level was very close to the DIN 4150 damage limit guidelines which posed a question as to possible claims for compensation.
Instead of halting piling operations, a detailed vibration analysis allowed modifications to be developed for the pile helmet. These reduced the ground vibration by 65% to well below the structural damage criteria, allowing the project to continue on schedule. In a similar case involving piling near a railway line, we reassured the residents by demonstrating that whilst the piling operations were subjectively very evident, the passage of trains actually generated a very similar level below the structural vibration damage criteria.
