Vibration from a train track

[rittz]

My client wishes to build a 1500 ft bungalow house on land about 400 feet from a railway track. The speed past the area would be approximately “highway speed” 3 or 4 times per day. The hose will have a full 8ft preserved wood foundation on a concrete strip footing based abut 5 ft. below grade. We have designed over 400 PWF’s (preserved wood foundation) since the Canadian Research Council first Approved them in the 70’s. Properly built PWF’s. Have lasted for years without significant issues. These houses are typically backfilled with free draining granular material drained through clean crushed rock to a sump. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not vibration would be a concern?

 

[Ron]

Should not be a concern. Have actually done a study on similar in granular soils in South Georgia for a litigation case. Have also measured vibrations immediately adjacent to tracks for commercial buildings in South Florida. Vibrations generally not enough to cause issues with existing, older structures so certainly should not be an issue for new construction.

To protect your liability, it would not be that expensive to measure the vibrations at some point nearest to the foundation from the tracks. Would put the issue to bed!