Use of stochastically rough surfaces for control of traffic-induced ground vibrations

In the present work, a potential use of stochastically rough surfaces for damping ground vibrations from rail and road traffic is considered. Two types of surface roughness are explored in this work: two-dimensional roughness formed by parallel grooves of randomly varying width and depth, and three-dimensional roughness formed by combinations of randomly positioned and randomly sized pits and hills. Recommendations are made on the values of the parameters of rough surfaces to be used in practice. Calculations of Rayleigh seismic wave attenuation are carried out for recommended parameters and typical sizes of rough surface areas at the frequency range of 0-100 Hz typical for traffic-induced ground vibrations. The results are compared with the available data for open trenches used as seismic barriers. Comparisons are also made with the reduced-scale model experiments carried out for rough surfaces at ultrasonic frequencies. Although statistically uneven surfaces for typical values of the parameters are less efficient as seismic barriers than trenches, the advantage of their use is that they can be easily made and maintained, in comparison with trenches, and they can be used for planting trees and other vegetation, while remaining accessible for people and animals.