In the twenty-first century, the seismic design of buildings seems to have become a fully recognized topic. There are guidelines and standards which should be taken into account by designers in seismic areas. Designers using modern international guidelines have ascertained that the behavior of structures is not as expected. New challenges in the construction industry result in the construction of structures with new, unusual shapes. These are structures that do not meet the assumptions of safe construction in seismic areas. Contemporary buildings are also characterized by their irregular distribution of structural elements. Such solutions are not beneficial from the point of view of seismic engineering and can lead to reduced dynamic resistance and damage in such structures. In this paper, a five-storey, irregular-shaped reinforced concrete (RC) building model was subjected to different earthquakes with varying magnitudes, PGA (peak ground acceleration) and PGV (peak ground velocity) values, and durations of the intense shock phase. Once the model was verified using previous in situ measurements, the building model was subjected to five earthquakes. A numerical nonlinear analysis of the building was performed using a verified FEA (finite element analysis) model in the time domain through non-linear time history analysis with the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) method. The building’s dynamic properties were measured using various methods of excitation. The model was influenced, among others, by two far-field representative events caused by the last earthquake in Turkey, which resulted in strong ground motion. The analysis results identified the locations of structural damage and allowed for the assessment of the structure’s dynamic resistance. The results of the calculations prove that the duration of the intensive phase of extortion is one of the reasons for building damage in earthquake-prone areas. Building damage occurs with earthquakes that are characterized by an intensive phase of excitation with a long duration and high values of velocity in the earthquake components. The article highlights the inadequate dynamic resistance of the building, leading to excessive displacements and unfavorable structural solutions. Damage to buildings at this earthquake intensity caused damage to the load-bearing structure, which was not designed for such intensities. This paper is a research report with a specific case study of medium-rise irregular RC buildings.

Traffic-induced vibrations from road and rail systems pose a significant threat to the structural integrity and operational safety of buildings, especially masonry structures located near planned infrastructure such as tunnels. This study investigates the dynamic impact of such vibrations on a representative early 20th-century masonry building situated within the influence zone of a design railway tunnel. A comprehensive analysis combining geological, structural, and vibration propagation data was conducted. A detailed 3D finite element model was developed in Diana FEA v10.7, incorporating building material properties, subsoil conditions, and anticipated train-induced excitations. Various vibration isolation strategies were evaluated, including the use of block supports and vibro-isolation mats. The model was calibrated using pre-construction measurements, and simulations were carried out in the linear-elastic range to prevent resident-related claims. Results showed that dynamic stresses in masonry walls and wooden floor beams remain well below critical thresholds, even in areas with stress concentration. Among the tested configurations, vibration mitigation systems significantly reduced the transmitted forces. This research highlights the effectiveness of integrated numerical modelling and vibration control solutions in protecting structures from traffic-induced vibrations and supports informed engineering decisions in tunnel design and urban development planning.

Bus and tram traffic in urban environments generates mechanical vibrations that can threaten both the structural integrity of buildings and the well-being of residents. The intensity of these effects is determined by many factors, including the quality of roads or tracks, the type of vehicles used, the distance of buildings to vibration sources, and the speed of their travel. The question is, can speed have a decisive influence on the generation of ceiling vibrations and the comfort of its residents? The operation of buses and trams can cause significant discomfort, especially in residential areas located in the immediate vicinity of roads and tram tracks. Such disturbances can negatively affect the quality of life, causing sleep disorders, increasing stress levels, and reducing concentration or productivity. The presented work shows the results of experimental studies on vibration comfort in buildings, specifically regarding the speed of passing trams and buses.

The article talks about the very intricate connection between traffic vibrations and their impact on the masonry buildings and their residents. The paper highlights that the vibrations that come from traffic can affect the building and cause serious structural problems like cracks and deformations that compromise the safety of the building and can be harmful to its occupiers. These series of vibrations also act as a major cause of discomfort and health issues for the occupants of the vehicles, including painful headaches, stress, and sleeping disturbances. To limit these effects, the article draws attention to the development of effective strategies such as the addition of dampers or insulators to the building foundation or the strengthening of the structural elements. However, there still exists a gap in the research in this area, and more studies should be conducted to provide more knowledge of the problem and the viable solutions. In general, the article underlines the necessity of solving this problem to save the buildings and their residents from the bad outcomes of vibrations.