The Impact of Work of Hydraulic Compactor Type V8 from MTS on the Level of Vibrations Propagated to the Environment

Ground vibrations generated during compaction activities in close proximity to residential buildings may cause disturbance to people, or even, in some cases damage the buildings. For this reason, it is very important to possess credible information about levels of vibrations generated by different compaction devices. Site compaction works are usually conducted with the use of plate compactors. This study investigates ground vibrations developed by a new generation of rig-mounted hydraulic compactor type V8 from MTS, in the immediate vicinity of a low-rise residential building, located in Ksiezyno, Poland. The research has been conducted at one measurement point, located on an exterior load-bearing wall of the building, and at three measurement points located on the ground at distances 2.5-7.5 m from the building. Compaction works were carried out in two locations at distances 10 m and 15 m from the building, and at three depths: 0.4 m, 1.2 m and 1.9-2.0 m. Measurements of vibration accelerations were carried out using 24-bit LAN-XI data acquisition hardware from Brüel&Kjær, as well as with a set of three low-frequency, seismic piezoelectric accelerometers type 8340 also manufactured by Brüel&Kjær and nine low-frequency piezoelectric accelerometers type 3187D from Dytran. In the course of measurements of the ground acceleration sensors were fixed to mounting bases, secured in the ground by a three-point anchor. In each measurement point data acquisition was carried out in three mutually perpendicular directions. The study analyses the distribution of vibration accelerations in a function of the distance of compactor from the building, the depth of compaction works, as well as the mode of work of hydraulic compactor type V8 manufactured by MTS. The analysis is carried out independently for each of the measurement directions (x, y, z). The results presented in the paper can be used to predict approximate safe distance applied in performing the construction activities with the use of this type of compactors.