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Ground vibration attenuates as a power law with distance, with an exponent of 1.0-1.6 depending on soil and wave type. Peak particle velocity is the standard damage criterion: humans perceive vibration from around 0.3 mm/s, complaints begin near 1-5 mm/s and cosmetic cracking risk starts around 12-15 mm/s for residential structures.
Attenuation
PPV = PPV_reference x (reference distance / distance)^n
Vibration limits for structures and human comfort are set by standards and permit conditions. Monitoring by a qualified specialist is required for blasting and piling near sensitive receptors.
Human perception of vibration is far more sensitive than building damage thresholds, by a factor of thirty or more. Complaint management, not structural safety, is usually the binding constraint.
Blasting, impact piling, vibratory rollers and dynamic compaction. Resonance of building floors near 10-30 Hz amplifies ground motion and can make internal levels far higher than measured outside.