A wavenumber domain boundary element model for the vibration isolation via a new type of pile structure: linked pile rows

In this study, a new kind of pile structure, namely linked periodic pile rows, is proposed for the vibration isolation facility. The proposed linked periodic pile rows consist of pile rows with pile tops rigidly linked by beams. To investigate the vibration isolation effect of linked pile rows, a numerical model is developed for the simulation of the dynamic response of linked pile rows. To address the pile–soil interaction problem, based on the sequence Fourier transform method, a wavenumber domain boundary element method is developed for the pile–soil system. The beams linking the pile tops are dealt with by the bar and beam vibrational theories. By using the coupling conditions between the pile tops and linking beams as well as the periodicity condition for the beam–pile–soil system, the complementary equations for the system are established. With the proposed model, the vibration isolation effects of the linked pile rows are investigated and compared with those of free pile rows. The comparison indicates that linked pile rows usually yield a better isolation vibration effect than free pile rows. Hence, linked pile rows are a more effective wave barrier for vibration isolation than free pile rows.