Prediction of vibrations induced by trains on line 8 of Beijing metro

This paper mainly discusses the problem of ground-borne vibrations due to the planned line 8 of Beijing metro which passes under the National Measurement Laboratory.A lot of vibration sensitive equipments are placed in the laboratory.It is therefore necessary to study the impact of vibrations induced by metro trains on sensitive equipments and important to propound a feasible vibration mitigation measure.Based on the coupled periodic finite element-boundary element (FE-BE) method,a 3D dynamic track-tunnel-soil interaction model for metro line 8 has been used to predict vibrations in the free field induced by trains running at variable speeds between 30 km/h and 80 km/h.Four types of track structures commonly used on the Beijing metro network have been considered:(1) high resilience direct fixation fasteners,(2) Vanguard fasteners,(3) a floating slab track and (4) a floating ladder track.For each of these track types,the vibration isolation efficiency has been compared.The results of the numerical study can be used to predict vibrations in nearby buildings and to decide upon effective vibration countermeasures.

Low frequency vibration tests on a floating slab track in an underground laboratory

Low frequency vibrations induced by underground railways have attracted increasing attention in recent years. To obtain the characteristics of low frequency vibrations and the low frequency performance of a floating slab track (FST), low frequency vibration tests on an FST in an underground laboratory at Beijing Jiaotong University were carried out. The FST and an unbalanced shaker SBZ30 for dynamic simulation were designed for use in low frequency vibration experiments. Vibration measurements were performed on the bogie of the unbalanced shaker, the rail, the slab, the tunnel invert, the tunnel wall, the tunnel apex, and on the ground surface at distances varying from 0 to 80 m from the track. Measurements were also made on several floors of an adjacent building. Detailed results of low frequency vibration tests were reported. The attenuation of low frequency vibrations with the distance from the track was presented, as well as the responses of different floors of the building. The experimental results could be regarded as a reference for developing methods to control low frequency vibrations and for adopting countermeasures.