Very strong ground vibrations, e.g. generated by heavy lorries on bumped roads, may even cause structural damage to very close buildings.
Typical values of ground vibration particle velocity associated with vehicles passing over traffic calming road humps are in the range of 0.1 – 2 mm/s.
These forces are associated with complex processes of interaction of moving train axles with railway tracks supported by the elastic ground.
The main mechanism responsible for generation of ground vibrations by moving cars and lorries is the dynamic forces associated with vehicle passage over road irregularities, such as bumps, peats, etc.
These vibrations may harmfully affect surrounding buildings, and their effect ranges from disturbance of residents to visible structural damage.