Abstract <p>The Chittorgarh Fort Complex (CFC), a ‘UNESCO World Heritage site’, is a protected ancient monument in India that has historical and cultural significance. A study to evaluate the critical impact of ground vibrations induced by Heavy Earth Moving Machineries (HEMM) operational in mines near CFC was carried out as per the directive of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. A comprehensive investigation has been carried out in different phases to analyze attenuation characteristics of ground vibrations induced by HEMM and its associated cumulative impact on the various structures of CFC. Various combinations of HEMM, such as surface miner and rock breaker (120 Ton), rock ripper, and high-capacity hydraulic excavator, etc., were made operational individually and cumulatively in the adjacent mines to measure the induced vibrations and frequency using advanced seismograms. Vibration monitoring was also carried out at various critical structures of CFC to assess likely damage due to amplification in the induced vibrations under different permutations and combinations of HEMM operations. The attenuation characteristics of observed vibration data in different experimental conditions have been analyzed and compared with the widely accepted vibration standards. The study signifies that vibrations induced by the HEMM do not have damage potential beyond 50 m, and this also holds true for the cumulative operation of the machines. In most cases, vibrations induced by individual machinery decay completely after travelling around 250 m distance, whereas vibrations travel up to a distance of 500 m in case of cumulative operation of different HEMMs. Empirical attenuation predictors are proposed for individual and/or collective HEMM operations, considering the intensity of the vibrations generated in the various experimental setups. The findings of the study on decay characteristics of mechanical vibrations may be used while planning for the deployment of such types of machinery near sensitive structures.</p> Research highlights <p><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Critical impact of heavy earth moving machineries-induced ground vibrations on a UNESCO World Heritage Site.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Experimental field study on individual and cumulative machineries operations effect.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Attenuation characteristics and their associated cumulative impact on heritage structure.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Study signifies decay characteristics of mechanical vibrations near sensitive structures.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>