Measuring and modelling traffic induced vibrations as a decisive tool in planning and conservation of historic areas

The level traffic induced vibrations on historic stone buildings are measured, and then statistically modeled using explanatory variables that can be controlled through planning decisions. The traffic induced vibration levels are measured for 10 historic stone buildings in Birgi, İzmir, Turkey using a truck, a midibus, an ambulance, a fire truck, a tractor, and a car. Three sensors are used in each building, where one of them is placed in the middle of the ground floor and the remaining two on the front corners of the building at the same floor. The final model explains 86,3 percent of the variation in the traffic induced peak vibration levels on historic stone buildings. Presence of a wall detached to the building, presence of an empty space (like a porch or a park) in front of the building, presence of detached buildings on sides of the building, presence of a water canal in front of the building are found to be negatively related to traffic vibration levels. The vehicles with same-diameter-tires are also found to induce less vibration on historic stone buildings compared to the vehicles with asymmetric-diameter-tires (like tractors). The number of intersections in front of the building, size of the building, slope, and total vehicle weight are found to be positively related to traffic vibration levels. The material of the ground floor is also found effective in traffic induced vibrations, where soil yields the highest vibration level. Slate, stone, wood, concrete, mosaic coating and tile materials yield less vibration levels orderly. All variables, but the speed of the vehicle, are found to be statistically significant at the 0,05 level. Keywords: Traffic induced vibration, planning, conservation, conservation-oriented planning, historic buildings, stone buildings