High-speed train-induced ground motion and interaction with structures

Abstract

A general numerical model for the analysis of soil motion due to high-speed train passage and effects on nearby surface and underground structures is presented in this paper. Soil, ballast and structures are represented using a 3-D time domain boundary element approach. Material damping has been included in the time domain formulation. Equilibrium and compatibility between soil and underground or surface structures is established in a rigorous manner in order to take into account soil-structure interaction. In contrast to other existing approaches, effects on a particular structure and the influence of non-uniform soil conditions along the track can be evaluated. Numerical results are obtained for different situations and some of them are compared with existing experimental records. The experimental values are to a large extent reproduced by the present numerical approach. Ballast influence and effects of high-speed train passage on a concrete underpass structure are analyzed.

Fully three-dimensional analysis of high-speed train–track–soil-structure dynamic interaction

“…The coupling between axles on the same bogie, known as leakage, is ignored since not coupling is expected [6,8,10]. 4…”

“…This force is generated by a variety of excitation mechanisms: the quasi-static contribution (force generated by moving axle loads), the parametric excitation due to discrete supports of the rails, the transient excitation due to rail joints and wheel flats, and the excitation due to wheel and rail roughness and track unevenness [3]. In the early studies, a prediction model developed by Krylov [4] was used [5,6]. In that model, only the quasi-static force transmitted by the sleepers in a ballasted track is taken into account as a moving force.…”

“…Special attention is paid to stabilization algorithms and element subdivision to improve efficiency, stability and accuracy. Internal material damping is introduced in the boundary element time domain formulation in a simple and efficient manner [6,22,23].…”

A 2.5D coupled FE-BE model for the prediction of railway induced vibrations

“…O'Brien and Rizos [4] have presented a direct time domain approach to study the transient response of a track-soil system due to the passage of trains where the sleepers are considered to be rigid and rails are coupled to the sleepers in the vertical direction only. Galvín and Domínguez [5,6] and Galvín et al [7] have presented a time domain formulation to study the ground motion due to a train passage. The model has been validated by means of field measurements [5,6] and has been used to study the influence of the ballast on a concrete underpass structure [5] and the vibration isolation by a floating slab track system [7].…”

“…Galvín and Domínguez [5,6] and Galvín et al [7] have presented a time domain formulation to study the ground motion due to a train passage. The model has been validated by means of field measurements [5,6] and has been used to study the influence of the ballast on a concrete underpass structure [5] and the vibration isolation by a floating slab track system [7]. The main disadvantage of 3D FE or FE-BE models is their very high computational cost.…”