Meshless Method for Modelling the Heavy Machinery Foundation Effect on Surrounding Residents

There have been many attempts by researchers to solve the problem of wave propagation in the unbounded domains. One of the important problems that can be handled by using this approach is wave propagation due to vibrations of machine foundations in the surrounding region and its effects on the health and comfort of people who work or live in that area. This research used Finite Point Method (FPM), which is considered as one of the best methods for solving problems of wave propagation in unbounded domains. To ensure the reliability of FPM, the properties of wave propagation in homogeneous and non-homogeneous unbounded domains are checked. Also the results of estimating wave propagation in non-homogeneous domain for special cases are compared with results of the generalized Haskell method. When the displacement values for both methods were plotted, it was observed that the FPM method gave better and smoother curves than Haskell method. FPM was used with eight different soil types to solve the problem of the effect of machine foundations on the surrounding area, that is to say, to find the safe distance for people to work and live around this area. It was proposed that, for full time workers 19 m of safe distance and for people living in the area 80 m of comfort distance, from the center of the vibrating machinery foundation, is required. Further study in this field is necessary to introduce guidelines in the existing design codes regarding this matter. Keywords: Finite Point Method, heavy machinery foundation, meshless methods, people health and comfort, unbounded domain, wave propagation.