The effects of traffic induced vibrations on heritage buildings have been studied in four widely different buildings. Three stone-built and one timber-framed building, including a Georgian town house and a large 15th century church, were examined. As part of the study a large farmhouse was surveyed before and after a significant increase in lorry traffic to determine if the increased exposure to traffic vibration had triggered damage. This study extends and complements a previous examination of four relatively small brick built properties reported in RR 156 (Watts 1988, see IRRD 818494). All buildings were within a few metres of roads carrying HGVs and they all showed some signs of distress. Vibration and noise measurements were made at the sites in order to characterize the exposure to vibration. All building surveys were carried out by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England whose main objectives were to report on the state of dilapidation of each building and to determine whether any damage was the result of traffic vibration. It was concluded that although measurable levels of ground-borne vibrations were present in all buildings, reaching perceptible levels in some, the observed damage was likely to have been caused by other site factors rather than the exposure to traffic vibration. (A)
Samenvatting