The paper describes experimental investigations of vibrations caused by train passages in the shallow underground tunnel (in Warsaw, Poland) in comparison to the results of measurements of vibrations from ground surface transportation (trams and buses). Propagation of surface ground vibrations from underground tunnel is presented. The problem of dynamic response of a building and influence of vibrations caused by underground on people residing in a building is discussed as well. The dynamic response of the building to underground vibrations is essentially different from the response of a building excited by surface sources of transport vibrations. Also the distribution of influence of the transport vibrations on people in the building is significantly different in both cases.

This work presents the methodology for analyzing the impact of ground vibrations induced during the drilling of gas/oil exploration wells on the surrounding constructions, as well as on humans and the natural environment. In the primary stage, this methodology is based on measurements of ground vibrations induced by a specific type of drilling system in the so-called reference site. In the next stage, ground vibrations are estimated in similar conditions to another design site, these conditions are assumed for a given drilling system, treated as a vibration source. In both sites, special seismic and geotechnical data are collected to construct numerical models for dynamic analyses. Finally, if it is required, a protection system is proposed with respect to the drilling technology and local conditions. The methodology presented has been tested on the terrain of an active natural gas mine used as the design site, and located in the southeastern part of Poland. The reference site was placed in the terrain of a working drilling system in similar conditions in the central part of Poland. Based on the results of numerical simulations, one may verify the different locations of the drilling rig in the design site with respect to the existing industrial structure. Due to the hazard from destructive ground vibrations, a certain vibroisolation system was proposed at the design site. Based on the results of numerical simulations one could rearrange the components of the drilling system in order to provide maximum security for the surrounding structures.