With the growth in construction of underground public transit systems, it is critical to have a comprehensive understanding of the vibration generated during subgrade construction activities. This study focuses specifically on the vibration impact of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) on surrounding structures and nearby neighborhoods, particularly examining the relationship between observed vibration levels at various distances from tunneling operations.

There currently exists very limited literature relating vibration emissions to a variety of tunneling parameters, including TBM size, cutting speed, and geotechnical conditions. This study compares industry standard prediction methods against measured vibration data collected during TBM operations and aims to better define the correlation between these variables.