NL2020761B3

NL2020761B3 - Underground vibration barrier

Info

Publication number: NL2020761B3
Application number: NL2020761A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Willem Anna Bastings Ivo
Original assignee: Drainblock B V
Priority date: 2018-04-12
Filing date: 2018-04-12
Publication date: 2021-07-05
Also published as: NL2020761B9; NL2020761B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an underground vibration barrier comprising at least one shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are substantially reduced and/or absorbed. The invention further relates to a method for substantially reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground, as well as to the use of shielding elements comprising a MMVF substrate arranged underground to substantially reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground.

Description

UNDERGROUND VIBRATION BARRIER The invention relates to a vibration barrier comprising a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), as well as to a method for reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground and to the use of shielding elements comprising MM VF to reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground. Background IO The ground under our feet is full of vibrations big and small. Significant ones may have both natural and industrial origins, and include tremors of seismic origin, such as microseismics and microtremors but also earthquakes, as well as vibrations caused by traffic, construction, and other human activity.

These tremors may have various negative effects, some of them significant: noise pollution; seismic damage: the gradual wearing down of infrastructure, including the foundations of buildings: interfering with detailed measurements such as weight measurements; vibration damage etc.

There is therefore a need for a system and method of reducing and/or absorbing vibrations, which may lessen at least some of the abovementioned negative effects.

Summary A solution may be provided by the underground vibration barrier according to the invention, which comprises at least one shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MM VF), wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are substantially reduced and/or absorbed.

MMVF is also known under the names mineral fiber, mineral cotton and mineral fibre, and includes stone wool, slag wool and glass wool. Many forms of MMVF are known, and are used for various purposes. For instance, MMVF is known to be useful for thermal insulation, for filtration, and for hydroponic growth.

MMVF is also sometimes used for soundproofing. However, known systems tend to use the sound- insulating properties of MMVF materials above ground. The invention is based on the inventive insight that aside from being capable of absorbing sound waves travelling through air, MMVF materials may also be used to absorb and/or reduce vibrations (including but not limited to sound waves) underground.

Various embodiments of the invention apply this insight in various ways. For instance, the at least one shielding element may be shaped and positioned such that it is substantially thinner in a first direction than it is in a second direction and in a third direction, wherein the first, second and third directions are mutually perpendicular, and wherein the third direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground surface. Such a shielding element is particularly effective in reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling along the first direction, by acting as a vibration barrier, and may further reduce and/or absorb vibration components along that first direction. Note some types of MMVF, in particular hydrophilic types, also have advantageous water- absorbing qualities. An additional advantage may therefore be that the underground vibration barrier according to the invention may simultaneously perform a water buffering and/or draining function, and thus reduce groundwater stress. For instance, the at least one shielding element may be substantially sheet-shaped, wherein the thickness in the first direction may be at least 30 mm, preferably at least 40mm, and preferably less than 300mm, preferably les than 200mm. Note however, that the word “shielding” is not intended to limit the shielding elements to only such shapes. The underground vibration barrier may further comprising an additional shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of MMVF, wherein the additional shielding element is arranged underground and in such a way that a substantial proportion of its surface is substantially parallel to the ground. In such a way, a region to be protected may be additionally shielded from below. Preferably, such an additional shielding element is shaped and positioned such that it is substantially thinner in the third direction than it is in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the directions are labeled as above, for instance being substantially sheet-shaped, which means the sheet would be arranged substantially parallel to the ground above. In many implementations, the underground vibration barrier will be intended to shield a particular object or region. In particular, the at least one shielding element may be arranged so as to block or substantially reduce vibrations travelling towards or from a specific infrastructure element from at least one side of the infrastructure element.

This infrastructure element may for instance comprises at least one building built on a foundation.

In those cases, it is advantageous to arrange the at least one shielding element along at least part of the foundation, and preferably to arrange a plurality of shielding elements so as to substantially surround the foundation. The word “surround” here, is used to indicate that the shielding elements are advantageously arranged such that vibrations may be reduced and/or absorbed before they are able to reach the foundation, thus protecting not just the at least one building but also the foundation itself.

The shielding elements may also be integrated with the foundation, i.e. be part of the foundation.

As will be obvious, installing such a vibration barrier together with the foundation will be easier than adding a vibration barrier around the foundation of an existing building, and one may imagine foundation elements and shielding elements being combined to additionally improve ease of installation.

The infrastructure element may also comprise a roadway. In that case, the underground vibration barrier comprises at least two substantially sheet-shaped shielding elements which extend on either side of the roadway. Preferably, these two shielding elements are placed close to the edge of the channel functioning as the foundation for the road. Such an underground vibration barrier may significantly reduce the noise produced by traffic. It may also, additionally or alternately, significantly reduce other vibrations cased by traffic, and in particular by heavy traffic, on the roadway. Additionally or alternately, such an underground vibration barrier may protect the roadway itself from vibration damage.

Such an underground vibration barrier associated with a roadway may further comprise an additional substantially sheet-shaped shielding element which extends substantially under the surface of the roadway and substantially parallel to it. In such a way, as well as with other configurations that will be apparent to the skilled person, the vibration barrier may have a substantially u-shaped cross-section along a plane perpendicular to the driving direction on the roadway. Such a configuration has the advantage of being able to reduce and/or absorb vibrations from many different directions.

Preferably, the shielding elements are positioned in such a way as to substantially “de-couple” the road from the rest of the environment. This is somewhat similar to techniques used in the field of floating floors, and may provide an especially effective system for reduction and/or absorption of vibrations.

Advantageously, the highest point of the underground vibration is not too far from the surface, for instance between 0 and 30 cm from the surface.

The deepest point will be chosen depending on various factors, wherein desirable absorption qualities are balanced with practical concerns; factors may for instance include geological conditions, terrain type, surrounding infrastructure, expected vibration intensity and directionality, etc.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for the underground vibration barrier to comprise a plurality of shielding elements arranged substantially in parallel, wherein the distance between adjacent shielding elements is chosen based on the wavelength of expected vibrations expected vibrations and/or vibrations to be reduced and/or absorbed.

For instance, it may comprise at least a first, second and third sequentially adjacent shielding element, the shielding elements arranged substantially in parallel, wherein the distance between the first and the second shielding element is substantially different from the distance between the second and third shielding element.

The first shielding element may be the shielding element closest to the infrastructure to be shielded, with the third shielding element may be the furthest.

Note that there may also be more than three shielding elements.

As an example, if there are three parallel shielding elements, the first shielding element being the closest to the infrastructure to be shielded, the distance between the first and second shielding elements may be in the range between 5 and 25 cm, whereas the distance between the second and the third shielding element may be substantially bigger, for instance of the order of 40 cm. and preferably no more than 50cm.

These shielding elements may for instance be substantially sheet shaped.

Such a plurality of shielding elements, separated by a relatively small distance, can lead to significant improvements in the effectiveness of vibration reduction/absorption, and may further allow for configurations that are aimed at specific vibration wavelengths {and therefore frequencies). This is advantageous since specific structures may be especially vulnerable to specific frequencies, such as resonant frequencies.

In embodiments, the at least one of the shielding elements may have a varying size along the first, second and/or third direction, preferably a varying thickness.

In embodiments with at least two shielding elements these may be chosen to have a different average density, a different type of MMVF, a different size, and/or a different shape.

All these decisions will depend on the specific situation and the desired absorption and/or reduction of vibrations.

Preferably, in embodiments comprising an additional shielding element, and in particular in embodiments comprising at least one substantially vertically oriented shielding elements as well as an additional shielding element, the thickness of the additional shielding element is smaller than the thickness of the at least one shielding element, and preferably the density of the additional shielding element is higher than the density of the at least one shielding element.

The MMVF used for the underground vibration barrier may be substantially hydrophilic or 5 substantially hydrophobic.

Each choice has its own advantages and leads to specific constraints.

For instance, if the MM VF used in the underground vibration barrier is hydrophilic, this allows for the dual purpose as described above, wherein the at least one shielding element may also serve a water buffering and/or draining function.

However, if such a hydrophilic shielding element is intended to protect at least one building built on a foundation, care should in many embodiments be taken to put enough distance between the foundation and the at least one shielding element, since humidity in hydrophilic shielding elements may have deleterious effects on many types on foundation.

A distance of at least 1 m, or preferably at least 1,5 m, between the at least one shielding element and the foundation would then be recommended.

Alternatively or additionally, a barrier may also be formed between the at least one shielding element and the foundation.

On the other hand, a substantially hydrophobic shielding element, while generally being unsuitable for use for water buffering and/or draining, may be placed very close to (within 10 cm or preferably 5 cm) the foundation, or may even advantageously be placed directly in contact with at least part of the foundation.

As the skilled person will understand, this may have advantages when it comes to ease of installation and structural integrity, and may lead to improved vibration reduction and/or absorption.

In any of the abovementioned embodiments, the size, shape and density of the at least one shielding element is chosen to optimize the reduction and/or absorption of vibrations.

Furthermore, in cases where the underground vibration barrier comprises at least two shielding elements, the two shielding elements may have different sizes, shapes, and/or average densities.

The skilled person, either through prior knowledge or by trial and error, may choose the parameters for the specific situation, taking into account such factors as: which vibrations are most desirable to reduce and/or absorb, which direction are such vibrations likely to come from, what are the practical restrictions on installation, etc.

Typical thicknesses for the at least one shielding element are in the range between 40-200 mm, with densities preferably in the range between 70 and 200 kg/m’. The additional shielding element may be less thick, for instance with a thickness between 30 and 50mm, with typical densities being slightly higher, for instance from 120 to 300 kg/m’. Note that densities need not be constant throughout a shielding element, and that varying densities may offer another option for customization.

Furthermore, it is noted that a “shielding element” is not restricted to a single, indivisible element: for instance, it may be formed by an assembly of MMVF blocks. Furthermore, it is not excluded that several shielding elements, for instance the at least one shielding element and the additional shielding element, may be embodied as a single entity.

The invention further relates to a method for substantially reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground; comprising providing at least one shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) and arranging the at least one shielding element underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are substantially 19 reduced and/or absorbed. The method may further comprise, as initial steps, a step of determining properties of potential undesirable vibrations, the properties including at least one of a wavelength, an travelling direction, a travelling path, and a strength; and determining, according to the determined properties, an advantageous, size, shape, density and positioning of at least one shielding element. The at least one shielding element may then be provided in accordance with the determined size, shape and density; and the at least one shielding element may be arranged in accordance with the determined positioning.

The method as described above is advantageously a method of substantially reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground towards or from an infrastructure element. The infrastructure element may comprise at least one building built on a foundation, and the arranging of the at least one shielding element then comprises the arranging of the at least one shielding element along at least part of the foundation, and preferably around substantially all of the foundation. Advantageously, the foundation and the shielding elements are both arranged before the at least one building is built. In these cases, the method may further comprise providing constituting elements of a foundation for at least one building; arranging the at least one shielding element and the constituting elements of the foundation so as to result in a foundation for at least one building substantially surrounded by a vibration barrier. The infrastructure element may also comprise a roadway, in which case the arranging of the at least one shielding element comprises arranging at least one shielding element on either side of the roadway.

The method preferably results in an underground vibration barrier as described previously.

Finally, the invention relates to the use of shielding elements comprised substantially of a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) arranged underground to substantially reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground. More in particular, it may also relate to the use of an underground vibration barrier as described previously to substantially reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground.

Brief description of the figures The invention will be further described at the hand of the figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view depicting an embodiment of the invention suitable for a roadway; Fig. 2 is a similar view depicting another embodiment of the invention suitable for a roadway; Figs. 3A and 3B are cross-sections depicting embodiments of the invention suitable for at least one building; Fig. 4 is a similar cross-section depicting a further embodiment of the invention suitable for at least one building; and Fig. 5 is a similar cross-section depicting yet another embodiment of the invention suitable for at least one building.

Detailed description of the figures Fig. 1 depicts a schematic embodiment of the invention suitable for a roadway 12. Traffic 11 traveling along roadway 12 is a source of vibrations, including sound waves but not limited thereto. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce and/or absorb at least some of these vibrations to lessen the potential negative effects of these vibrations on the environment. Furthermore, it may be an object to protect roadway 12 from vibrations originating elsewhere.

Note that for obvious reasons, the ground 1 has been made transparent to show the underground vibration barrier, which in this case comprises a first shielding element 13 and a second shielding element 13, the shielding elements 13, 14 being arranged on either side of roadway 12.

Shielding elements 13, 14 are depicted as being sheet-shaped. Though this embodiment is not limited to such a shape, it is in many such situations advantageous to use shielding elements which are substantially elongated along second direction D2, which is the direction along which traffic

11 travels. The thickness along first direction D1, which is the direction along the width of roadway 12, may be determined depending on the characteristics of the vibrations to be reduced and/or absorbed, though cost and other practical concerns will in many cases also be a factor taken into account. Note that shielding elements 13 and 14 will in many cases be similarly shaped and have similar dimensions, they may also be differently shaped and/or have different dimensions.

Shielding elements 13, 14 are depicted as being arranged substantially perpendicular to roadway 1. However, this is not required, and depending on the expected direction along which the most undesirable vibrations travel, another orientation may be preferred. While shielding elements 13, 14 are depicted as being uninterrupted, this is not required, and each shielding element 13, 14 may comprise several component parts . In situations wherein it is desirable to also make use of the advantageous water-retaining properties of MMVF, a hydrophilic MM VF material is preferably chosen, and shielding elements 13, 14 are preferably arranged such that water, such as rain water, may infiltrate to shielding elements 13, 14. To such an end, shielding elements 13, 14 are preferably positioned under a water-infiltration element (which may be a pre-existing water-infiltration element). examples being a drain grate, an open surface structure, a permeable pavement, a gutter, etc.

Fig. 2 shows a similar embodiment, with like references referring to like elements. In the depicted embodiment, the underground vibration barrier further comprises an additional shielding element 15, which is oriented to be substantially parallel to roadway 12. Again, while this additional shielding element is depicted as being sheet-shaped, other shapes are also possible. Preferably additional shielding element 15 extends over the entire width of roadway 12 along direction DI, but this is not required. In the figure, shielding element 15 is at a small distance from shielding elements 13, 14, their sides almost but not quite touching. However, this is not intended to be limitative: in some cases, it may be preferably for the shielding elements to abut each other, such that a U-shaped shield is formed, but there may still be a significant reduction and/or absorption of vibrations even if shielding elements 13, 14 and 15 are arranged some distance apart from each other. Furthermore, the U- shape formed by shielding elements 13, 14, 15 may also be formed by using fewer or more shielding elements, for instance by using shielding elements which have a rounded cross-section in the plane perpendicular to D1.

The use of such a configuration, wherein the underground vibration barrier as a whole has a substantially U-shaped cross-section in a place perpendicular to the direction of travel, is somewhat analogous to what is used for the construction of floating floors, and may have similar advantages, since it may substantially de-couple the roadway from the environment, leading to a highly efficient vibration barrier.

Embodiments suitable for use with buildings are depicted in Figs. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5. wherein the building or buildings are schematically represented as a single house 20, and wherein ground 1 is again depicted as if it were transparent. These embodiments tend to be different since buildings (leaving aside some exceptions) tend to not be significant sources of vibrations, but may need to be protected from vibrations. In some cases, vibrations are expected to originate primarily from one direction. In those cases, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3A, wherein a single shielding element 21 is used, may already lead to significant improvements. Preferably, this shielding element will extend substantially in the plane perpendicular to this direction, and be arranged such that it is placed between the expected origin direction and the building or buildings to be protected. In the depicted case, vibrations are expected to originate from the left, along first direction D1, and shielding element is therefore arranged to the left of the building 20. In this case, shielding element is arranged vertically, but this need not be the case. The thickness along the first direction is significantly shorter than the height along the third direction. The figure does not show how far it extends in second direction D2, but preferably it will extend at least along the length of building 20 in second direction D2. While a sheet-shaped shielding element is depicted, other shapes are also possible, and may even be more advantageous in some cases.

In cases where it is less possible to predict the direction from which vibrations are likely to originate, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3B may be more suitable. Two shielding elements 21 and 22 are shown; however, the figure is a cross-section, and this embodiment may further include further shielding elements, for instance chosen such that the resulting underground vibration barrier extends all around the perimeter of building 20. As with the earlier embodiment shown in Fig. 2, an additional, substantially horizontal shielding element 23 may also be part of the underground vibration barrier according to the invention, as is shown in Fig. 4. Preferably, shielding elements 21, 22, 23 as well as potential other shielding elements not shown in the figure are arranged around the foundation of building 20, and may for instance be installed together with the foundation. In such a way, a box with 5 sides may be formed which makes it possible to significantly reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground 1 from any direction. Due to the common structure of foundations of buildings, a box shape will in many cases be most advantageous, but note that curved shielding elements are not excluded. While the relative sizes and dimensions in the figures should certainly not be interpreted as being to scale, Fig. 5 is intended to show that shielding elements 31, 32, 33 may also be arranged further away from a structure, such as building 20. In particular, the use of a plurality of shielding elements 31, 32, 33, arranged in parallel with a certain distance between them, preferably with different distances between them, may be so effective in the reductions and/or absorption of particularly damaging vibrations that a full barrier around a building may not be needed. As an example, a first and a second shielding element may be separated by 5 — 25 cm, and a second and a third shielding element may be separated by at most 50 cm.

As with the embodiments of Fig. 1 and 2, if it is desirable for any of the embodiments according to Fig. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 to also make use of the water-retaining properties of MM VF shielding elements, a hydrophilic MM VF material should be chosen and the elements may advantageously be arranged such that water, such as rain water or waste water, may infiltrate towards at least one shielding element, for instance by making use of existing water drainage systems, but optionally also by arranging water infiltration elements between the surface and the shielding elements; and/or by arranging the shielding elements at a small distance from the surface. Note that it may be necessary, if using a hydrophilic MM VF material, to arrange the shielding elements at some distance from the foundation on which the at least one building it built; on the other hand, if using a hydrophobic MM VF material, the shielding elements and the foundation may be arranged to be close to each other or even in direct contact with each other.

The skilled person will be able to envisage many variations on the above, and will understand that the invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments.

The disclosure also includes the following clauses: I. An underground vibration barrier, comprising at least one shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are substantially reduced and/or absorbed.

2. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 1, wherein the at least one shielding element is shaped and positioned such that it is substantially thinner in a first direction than it is in a second direction and in a third direction, wherein the first, second and third directions are mutually perpendicular, and wherein the third direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground surface.

3. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 2, wherein the at least one shielding element is substantially sheet-shaped.

4. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the at least one shielding element has a thickness in the first direction of at least 30 mm, preferably at IO least 40 mm, and which is preferably less than 300mm, preferably less than 200mm.

5. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, further comprising an additional shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of MMVF, wherein the additional shielding element is arranged underground and in such a way that a substantial proportion of its surface is substantially parallel to the ground surface.

6. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 5, wherein the additional shielding element is shaped and positioned such that it is substantially thinner in a third direction than it is in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first, second and third directions are mutnally perpendicular, and wherein the third direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground surface.

7. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 5 or 6, wherein the additional shielding element is substantially sheet-shaped.

8. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged so as to block or substantially reduce vibrations travelling towards or from a certain infrastructure element from at least one side of the infrastructure element.

9. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 8, wherein the infrastructure element comprises at least one building built on a foundation, and wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged along at least part of the foundation.

10. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 9, comprising a plurality of shielding elements, wherein plurality of shielding elements is arranged so as to substantially surround the foundation.

11. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 9, wherein the at least one shielding element are integrated with the foundation.

12. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 8, wherein the infrastructure element comprises a roadway, wherein the vibration barrier comprises at least two substantially sheet-shaped shielding elements which extend on either side of the roadway.

13. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 12, further comprising an additional substantially sheet-shaped shielding element which extends substantially under the surface of the roadway and substantially parallel to it.

14. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 8, 12 or 13, wherein the infrastructure element comprises a roadway, wherein the vibration barrier has a substantially u- shaped cross-section along a plane perpendicular to the driving direction on the roadway.

15. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged such that its highest point is between 0 and 30 cm below the ground surface.

16. The anderground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, comprising a plurality of shielding elements arranged substantially in parallel, wherein the distance between adjacent shielding elements is chosen based on the wavelength of expected vibrations and/or vibrations to be reduced and/or absorbed.

17. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 16, comprising at least a first, second and third sequentially adjacent shielding element, the shielding elements arranged substantially in parallel, wherein the distance between the first and the second shielding element is substantially different from the distance between the second and third shielding element.

18. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the size, shape and density of the at least one shielding element is chosen to optimize the reduction and/or absorption of vibrations.

19. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 18, wherein at least one of the shielding elements has a varying size along the first, second and/or third direction, preferably a varying thickness.

20. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, comprising at least two shielding elements with a different average density, a different type of MMVF, a different size, and/or a different shape.

21. The underground vibration barrier according to at least clause 5, wherein the thickness of the additional shielding element is smaller than the thickness of the at least one shielding element, and wherein preferably the density of the additional shielding element is higher than the density of the at least one shielding element.

22. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the MMVF is substantially hydrophilic.

23. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 9 and clause 22, wherein the at least one shielding element is arranged at a distance from the foundation, wherein this distance is at least | m and preferably at least 1.5 m.

24. The underground vibration barrier according to any of the clausesi-21, wherein the MMVF is substantially hydrophobic.

25. The underground vibration barrier according to clause 9 and clause 24, wherein at least one shielding element is arranged such that it is in contact with or at a distance of fewer than 10 cm from, preferably fewer than 5 cm from, at least part of the foundation.

26. A method for substantially reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground; comprising: providing at least one shielding element comprised substantially of a substrate of man- made vitreous fibers (MMVF); and arranging the at least one shielding element underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are substantially reduced and/or absorbed.

27. The method according to clause 26, further comprising, as initial steps determining properties of potential undesirable vibrations, the properties including at least one of a wavelength, an travelling direction, a travelling path, and a strength; and determining, according to the determined properties, an advantageous, size, shape, density and positioning of at least one shielding element; and wherein the at least one shielding element is provided in accordance with the determined size, shape and density; the at least one shielding element is arranged in accordance with the determined positioning.

28. The method according to clauses26 of 27, wherein the method is a method of substantially reducing and/or absorbing vibrations travelling through the ground towards or from an infrastructure element.

29. The method according to clause 28, wherein the infrastructure element comprises at least one building built on a foundation, and wherein the arranging of the at least one shielding element comprises the arranging of the at least one shielding element along at least part of the foundation, and preferably around substantially all of the foundation.

30. The method according to clause 29, further comprising: providing constituting elements of a foundation for at least one building: and arranging the at least one shielding element and the constituting elements of the foundation so as to result in a foundation for at least one building substantially surrounded by a vibration barrier.

31. The method according to clause 28, wherein the infrastructure element comprises a roadway, and wherein the arranging of the at least one shielding element comprises arranging at least one shielding element on either side of the roadway.

32. The method according to any of clauses 26-31, resulting in an underground vibration barrier according to any of clauses 1-25.

33. Use of shielding elements comprised substantially of a substrate of man- made vitreous fibers (MMVF) arranged underground to substantially reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground.

34. Use according to clause 33, wherein the MM VF is substantially hydrophilic.

35. Use according to clause 33, wherein the MMVF is substantially hydrophobic.

36. Use of an underground vibration barrier according to any of clauses 1-25 to substantially reduce and/or absorb vibrations travelling through the ground.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. Underground vibration barrier comprising at least one shield element consisting mainly of a substrate of synthetic vitreous fibers (MMVE}, wherein the at least one shell element is arranged underground such that vibrations in the ground are significantly damped and/or absorbed, and wherein the MMVF is mainly hydrophilic.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrel at least one shield element is shaped and positioned such that it is significantly shorter in a first direction than in a second direction and in a third direction, the first, second and third directions being mutually exclusive. perpendicular to each other, and the third direction being the direction transverse to the ground surface.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 2, wherein the at least one shield element is substantially plate-shaped.

The underground vibration barrier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one shield element has a thickness in the first direction of at least 30 ram, preferably at least 40 µm, and which is preferably less than 3901, more preferably less than 200mm

The underground vibration barrier of any preceding claim, further comprising an additional shield element consisting essentially of a substrate of MMVE, the additional shield element arranged underground such that a significant portion of its surface is substantially pearly to the ground surface,

The underground vibration barrier of claim 5, wherein the additional shield element is shaped and positioned such that it is significantly shorter in a third direction than it is in a first direction and a second direction, the first, second and third directions being transverse to each other. each other, and where the third direction is the direction transverse to the ground surface,

7. Subsurface vibration barrier according to claim § or 5, wherein the additional shield element is essentially plate-shaped.

RC202101181

An underground lifting barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one shield element is arranged to block or significantly reduce vibrations traveling towards or away from a particular infrastructure element from at least one side of the infrastructure element.

9. Underground vibration barrier according to claim 8, wherein the structural element comprises at least one building built on a foundation, and wherein the at least one shield element is arranged along at least a portion of the foundation.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 9, comprising a plurality of shield elements, wherein the plurality of shield elements are arranged so as to substantially surround the foundation.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 9, wherein the at least one shield element portion is integrated with the foundation.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 8, wherein the infrastructure element comprises at least one roadway, the vibration barrier comprising at least two substantially plate-shaped shield elements extending on either side of the roadway.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 12, further de-wadding an additional substantially plate-shaped shield element extending substantially below the surface of the roadway and substantially parallel thereto.

An underground vibration barrier according to claim 8, 12 or 13, wherein the infrastructure element comprises a roadway, the vibration barrier having a substantially U-shaped cross-section in a plane transverse to the direction of travel on the roadway,

An underground vibration barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one shield element is arranged such that its highest point is between 0 and 30 cm below the ground surface.

An underground vibration barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of shield elements arranged in a substantially parallel manner, RC202101181 wherein the distance between adjacent shield elements is selected based on the expected vibrations and/or vibrations to be damped and/or absorbed .

An underground vibration barrier according to claim 16, comprising at least a first, second and third sequentially arranged shield elements, said shield elements being arranged substantially parallel, wherein the distance between the first and second shield elements is substantially different from the distance between the second and third shield element.

An underground vibration barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size, shape and density of the at least one shield element is selected so as to optimize the damping and absorption of vibrations.

The underground vibration barrier of claim 18, wherein at least one of the shield elements has a non-constant size along the first, second and/or third directions, preferably a non-constant thickness,

An underground vibration barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two shield elements with a different average thickness, a different type of MMVF, a different size and/or a different shape,

The underground vibration barrier according to at least claim 5, wherein the thickness of the additional shield element is less than the thickness of the at least one shield element, and preferably wherein the density of the additional shield element is greater than the density of the at least one shield element .

The underground vibration barrier according to claim 9, wherein the at least one shield element is arranged a distance from the foundation, said distance being at least Lio and preferably at least 1.5 m.

A method of significantly damping and/or absorbing vibrations traveling through the ground, comprising: providing at least one shield element consisting essentially of a substrate of synthetic vitreous fibers (MMVE), wherein the MMVF is substantially hydrophilic; and arranging the at least one shield element underground in such a way that vibrations in the ground are significantly damped and/or absorbed.

RC202101181

The method of claim 23, further comprising the initial steps of: determining properties of potential unwanted vibrations, the properties including at least one of a wavelength, a displacement direction, a displacement path, and a strength; and determining, according to the determined properties, an advantageous size, shape, density and placement of at least one shield element; and wherein the at least one shield element is provided according to the determined size, shape and density; the at least one painting element is arranged according to the determined placement.

A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the method is a method for significantly damping and/or absorbing vibrations traveling through the ground towards or away from an infrastructure element.

A method according to claim 25, wherein the infrastructure element comprises at least one building built on a foundation, wherein arranging the at least one shield element comprises arranging the at least one shield element along at least part of the foundation, and preferably around mainly the entire foundation,

The method of claim 26, further comprising: providing elements for forming the foundation for at least one building; and arranging the at least one shield element and the foundation forming elements such that it results in a foundation for at least one building which is substantially surrounded by a vibration barrier.

The method of claim 25, wherein the infrastructure element comprises a roadway, and wherein arranging the at least one shield element comprises arranging at least one shield element on either side of the roadway,

A method according to any one of claims 23-28 resulting in a subterranean barrier according to any one of claims 1-22.

RC202101181

30. Use of shield elements consisting mainly of a synthetic vitreous fiber (MMVEF) substrate, arranged underground in such a way that vibrations traveling through the ground are significantly damped and/or absorbed, with the MMVFP mainly hydrophilic 18. 3

Use of an underground vibration harness according to any one of claims 1 to 22 for significantly damping and/or absorbing vibrations traveling through the ground.

RC202101181