The vibratory energy generated by the traffic of light and heavy vehicles and trains is a source of environmental pollution barely studied in Brazil. The most effective way to lower vibratory energy to increase the distance between the receptor and the source, which is normally achieved through zoning laws and the width of the right-of-way of highways and railways. The densification of urban areas currently noticeable in medium-sizes cities, caused mainly by real-estate speculation, keeps bringing buildings near the main vibration sources in urban areas. The effect of vibratory energy on buildings varies according to their structure and foundations, their height and the soil-type. Buildings that have a steel or reinforced concrete structure tend to react better to the vibration effects (DIN 4150-3,1999). However, older constructions and historical sites, built with less resistant materials and, sometimes poorly preserved, can suffer not only aesthetical cracks but also irreversible structural damage when exposed to high levels of vibration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the discomfort and the structural damages that highways and railways cause on buildings. The results indicate that while the limits of structural integrity are not breached, those of discomfort are.
Vibration; Environmental pollution; Urban densification
