Different Types of Continuous Track Irregularities as Sources of Train-Induced Ground Vibration and the Importance of the Random Variation of the Track Support

Abstract

Irregularities of the track are a main cause of train-induced ground vibration, and track maintenance is of great importance. Although geometric irregularities at the wheel-rail contact are widely used, other types of irregularities, such as stiffness irregularities, irregularities from different track positions and irregularities in the wave propagation, were analysed in the present study. The track behaviour was investigated by a multi-beam-on-soil model. This track model is coupled with a vehicle model to calculate the vehicle–track interaction. The track model was also used for the track filtering, which transfers a track support error to the equivalent rail irregularity or, conversely, the sharp axle pulse on the rail to a smoother pulse on the soil. In the case in which this filtering varies randomly along the track, the pulses of the moving static load induce a certain ground vibration component (“the scatter of axle pulses”). This effect was calculated by the superposition of axle pulses in the frequency domain and by a stochastic simulation. Simultaneous vehicle, track and soil measurements at a certain site were used to evaluate the different excitation and ground vibration components. The agreement between calculations and axle-box and soil measurements is good. The ground vibrations calculated from rail irregularities and corresponding dynamic loads, however, clearly underestimate the measured ground vibration amplitudes. Only the static load that is moving over a varying track support stiffness can produce the important mid-frequency ground vibration component by the scatter of axle pulses.

Analogical Assessment of Train-Induced Vibration and Radiated Noise in a Proposed Theater

“…The impact of train-induced vibration in adjacent buildings is affected by many factors, not only from the track [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] but also from the geological condition [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] and the structure itself [ 27 , 31 , 32 ]. Therefore, the ground vibration measurement results are not enough to assess the expected vibration acceleration level in the theater.…”

“…Besides the variation of track structures, the track condition is also an important influencing factor that cannot be ignored. The impact factors include but are not limited to the change of wheel and rail profiles due to wear and maintenance [ 16 ], the temperature force in the rail [ 17 ], different types of track irregularities [ 18 ] and installation quality of fastening clips [ 19 ], etc. Regarding the propagation path of the vibration, which is mainly the surrounding rock and soil of the railway foundation, the physical properties [ 20 , 21 ] as well as distribution of soil and rock layers [ 20 , 22 ] are considered as influential factors that may contribute to the attenuation of vibration.…”

Advanced Railway Infrastructures Engineering

“…In the study of Auersch [14], from the Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing (Germany), besides geometric irregularities at the wheel-rail contact, other types of irregularities, such as stiffness irregularities, irregularities from different track positions, and irregularities in the wave propagation were analysed. The ground vibrations calculated from rail irregularities and corresponding dynamic loads, however, clearly underestimated the measured ground vibration amplitudes.…”

Method for Controlling Full-Frequency Band Environment Vibration by Coordinating Metro Vibration Sources and Propagation Paths

“…Therefore, traininduced vibrations have received increasing attention because of their negative impact on the long-term protection of historical buildings [6,7], the operation of precision instruments [8][9][10] and the residents living in the buildings over the metro depots [11][12][13][14], which are still urgent issues that need to be addressed today. In addition, how to predict train-induced environmental vibration more efficiently and accurately has also been a focus of attention in recent years [15,16], for example, considering various types of irregularities [17], establishing analytical prediction models [18] and introducing neural networks [19]. Vibration mitigation measures are adopted to address these issues in the vibration source [20,21], propagation path [22,23] and vibration receivers [24] based on the vibration propagation route.…”