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This contribution presents experimental methods to detect track damage. At BAM (Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing), a measuring car with a measuring system of 72 channels, geophones, mountings, cables, harmonic and impulsive exciters is used for dynamic measurements of the track, the soil and buildings. An instrumented hammer allows force measurements and to evaluate transfer functions of the track, and the soil. Wave measurements are used to identify the soil characteristics. Train passages are measured at the track and for the train induced ground vibrations. In addition to these in situ options, tests of tracks or track elements can be performed in a large laboratory.
Explosion-induced ground vibrations have been measured at several places. Results about the wave propagation are shown in this contribution. The particle velocities of the soil have been measured at up to 1000 m distance from the explosion and are presented as time records (seismograms) and one-third octave band spectra (transfer functions). The results are compared with the results of hammer impacts. The seismograms clearly show different wave types, compressional waves of the air, the water and the soil, and the Rayleigh wave. The hammer impacts yield good results up to 100 m and incorporate higher frequencies at about 50 Hz, whereas the explosion results in a ground vibration with frequencies around 10 Hz and a longer range of influence. Explosion and hammer excitations are evaluated for the wave velocities of the soil by using the wavenumber and the spatial auto-correlation method. The attenuation of the ground vibration amplitudes A with distance r can well be presented by a power law A ~ r -q. This type of amplitude-distance law and the corresponding power q > 1 are substantiated in the contribution. The influence of the charge weight W is evaluated as an additional power law A ~ W -p for each measuring site. The power is found quite similarly around q 0.6 as all sites have a medium soft soil such as sand and clay. The obtained amplitude-charge-distance law can be used to predict the explosion-induced ground and building vibrations at other sites.
Die Grundidee einer Schwingungsminderung ist es eine tiefe Eigenfrequenz der Struktur zu erreichen, so dass höhere Frequenzen abgemindert werden. Das gilt für die Minderung an der Quelle, zum Beispiel einem Eisenbahngleis, und für die Minderung am Empfänger, dem Gebäude. Die Eigenfrequenz ermittelt man aus dem Verhältnis der Auflagersteifigkeit und der Masse. Wie ist die Masse bei einem Gebäude zu wählen? Und wie ist die Untergrundsteifigkeit zu berücksichtigen? Als Referenzsituation ohne Minderungsmaßnahme? Der Beitrag bringt Rechenergebnisse zu abgefederten Gebäuden mit einfachen und komplexen (FE-) Modellen, Mess- und Rechenergebnisse zur Schwingungsübertragung von unabgefederten Gebäuden. Es wird der Einfluss der Abstimmfrequenz, der Bodensteifigkeit und der „starren“ Gebäudemasse untersucht. Die komplexen Gebäudemodelle erlauben, neben der Berechnung einer elastischen Gebäudelagerung, auch die Variation von Gebäudeparametern zur Reduktion der Deckenschwingungen. Den Ergebnissen bei der Erschütterungs-übertragung in Gebäude werden zwei ähnliche Beispiele zur elastischen Maschinenlagerung und zur elastischen Gleislagerung gegenübergestellt.
Die Grundidee einer Schwingungsminderung ist es eine tiefe Eigenfrequenz der Struktur zu erreichen, so dass höhere Frequenzen abgemindert werden. Das gilt für die Minderung an der Quelle, zum Beispiel einem Eisenbahngleis, und für die Minderung am Empfänger, dem Gebäude. Die Eigenfrequenz ermittelt man aus dem Verhältnis der Auflagersteifigkeit und der Masse. Wie ist die Masse bei einem Gebäude zu wählen? Und wie ist die Untergrund-steifigkeit zu berücksichtigen? Als Referenzsituation ohne Minderungsma߬nahme? Der Beitrag bringt Rechenergebnisse zu abgefederten Gebäuden mit einfachen und komplexen (FE-) Modellen, Mess- und Rechenergebnisse zur Schwingungsübertragung von unabge-federten Gebäuden. Es wird der Einfluss der Abstimmfrequenz, der Bodensteifigkeit und der „starren“ Gebäudemasse untersucht. Die komplexen Gebäudemodelle erlauben, neben der Berechnung einer elastischen Gebäudelagerung, auch die Variation von Gebäudepara¬metern zur Reduktion der Deckenschwingungen. Den Ergebnissen bei der Erschütterungs-übertragung in Gebäude werden zwei ähnliche Beispiele zur elastischen Maschinenlagerung und zur elastischen Gleislagerung gegenübergestellt.
Im ersten Teil werden Methoden der Wellenanalyse vorgestellt, Seismogramme, Multistation Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), f,v-Analyse (Dispersion aus zweifacher Fourier-Analyse), Spatial AutoCorrelation (SPAC, hier auch für deterministische Quellen), und auf Messungen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz angewendet. Mit den Wellengeschwindigkeiten des Bodens werden die Berechnungsgrundlagen für die Erschütterungsausbreitung im Boden und die Bauwerk-Boden-Wechselwirkung geschaffen.
Der zweite Teil beschäftigt sich mit der Wellensynthese, das heißt mit der Berechnung von Wellenfeldern (aus Wellenzahlintegralen). Die Rechnungen können wesentlich vereinfacht werden, wenn man die Dimensionsanalyse und Symmetrieüberlegungen ausnutzt, so dass maximal fünf dimensionslose Verschiebungsfunktionen verbleiben (im Vollraum sind es sogar nur zwei Verschiebungsfunktionen, die sich einfach explizit angeben lassen). Es gibt Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Halbraum-Amplituden an der Oberfläche, den Halbraum-Amplituden in der Tiefe und der Wellenausbreitung im Vollraum. Die berechneten Wellenfelder (als Terzspektren in verschie-denen Entfernungen von der Erschütterungsquelle) werden verwendet, um die gemessene Übertragungsfunktionen des Bodens zu approximieren und Erschütterungen von Zugvorbeifahrten zu prognostizieren. Auch dies wird an einigen Messorten vorgeführt. Dabei werden einige gemessene Besonderheiten der Eisenbahnerschütterungen mit dem geschichteten Aufbau des Bodens erklärt.
Der dritte Teil beschäftigt sich mit der Anwendung der Wellenfelder beziehungsweise der Punkt-lastlösungen beziehungsweise der Greenschen Funktionen in der Randelementmethode. Es wird ein einfaches Prinzip der Herleitung der Randelementmethode vorgeführt. Bei einer beliebigen Berandung benötigt man neben den Verschiebungswellenfeldern auch die Spannungswellen-felder. Eine einfache Berechnung der Spannungswellenfelder wird vorgeführt, die im Vollraum auf drei Spannungsfunktionen, ähnlich einfach wie die Verschiebungsfunktionen, führt. Durch die Kopplung der Randelementmethode mit der Finite-Element-Methode können dann Probleme der Bauwerk-Boden-Wechselwirkung gelöst werden.
Der vierte Teil beschäftigt sich schließlich mit der Freifeld-Wellenanregung unter einem Gebäude und der Wellenanregung im Gebäude. Dabei geht es um die Wechselwirkung der Freifeldwellen mit starren oder flexiblen Fundamenten (Pfählen, Fundamentplatten) und den Übertragungs-faktoren zwischen dem Freifeld und dem Gebäude. Bei der Wellenanregung in einem Büro-gebäude in Wien konnten die gleichen Methoden wie bei der Wellenanregung im Boden eingesetzt werden, Seismogramme, MASW, Übertragungsfunktionen und Amplituden-Abstandsgesetze.
Measurements of ground and track vibrations have been performed at a high-speed line in northern Germany. Impacts on the track and the ground, and passages of different trains with different speeds on different tracks have been measured. Transfer functions of the soil are presented and approximated by theoretical soil models. By using these transfer functions, the measured ground vibration between 2 to 64 m distance from the track can be transformed into a load spectrum which can be used for predictions at other sites. The method is compared to the soil-dependent method of an emission spectrum at a certain distance (8 m for example). The influence of train type, speed and track type is discussed on the base of the different emission quantities and the original measurements. The strong influence of the track, ballast track and slab track, is analysed by a theoretical model in wavenumber domain. The response of the track to the passage of the static load is reduced by the stiffness of the slab, the deformation of the track as well as the impulse acting on the soil. Usually, the impulse on the soil should result in a slow quasi-static movement of the soil, slower at further distances. In a heterogeneous soil, however, the impulses from the static loads scatter and keep parts of the higher impulse frequency band. In this case the reduced impulse spectra of the slab track will yield reduced ground vibration in a certain frequency band. Additional (BAM and international) measurements will be used to discuss this and possible other explanations for the different ground vibration differences.
Es wird die Vorgehensweise erläutert wie die Notwendigkeit einer elastischen Gebäudelagerung geprüft wird. Es werden die Möglichkeiten und Schwächen vereinfachter Rechenverfahren dargestellt. Es folgen weitere Beispiele detaillierter Gebäudemodelle und ihres Schwingungsverhaltens. Schließlich greift eine aktuelle Bachelorarbeit die Fragestellung komplexen Gebäudeschwingungsverhaltens auf. Die letzte Folie zeigt dazu Gebäudemodelle, die an die konkreten Erschütterungsprognosen anknüpfen.
Abstract. Three measurement campaigns of train-induced ground vibrations are evaluated for the vehicle-track-soil interaction. Ground vibrations, track vibrations and vehicle vibrations have been measured for train passages and impulse excitation and compared with theoretical results.
The soil and the track-soil system are calculated by wavenumber integrals. The influence of the vehicle is introduced by a substructure method. By comparing theory and measurement the different components of excitation force and ground vibration can be analysed, the quasi-static excitation, track-alignment errors, the out-of-roundness of wheels, the wheel and rail roughness, and moreover, scattered axle impulses and ineffective high-frequency parts of the wheelset accelerations and forces.
Methods have been presented for detailed studies of railway vibration and for the fast prediction of train-induced ground vibration. The ground vibration is generated by static or dynamic loads. The main purpose of this contribution was to show the influence of inhomogeneous soils on the different vibration components.
Layered soils, namely a soft layer on a stiffer half-space, yield a quite specific transmission behavior. The low-frequency and sometimes also high-frequency cut-off of the transfer function of the soil is demonstrated in theory and by experiments at many sites of which the soil model is approximated from dispersion and transfer function measurements. The layer frequency divides the frequency range in a low-frequency range, where the stiff half-space rules the low amplitudes, and a high amplitude high-frequency range which is mainly determined by the softer top layer. A thick soft layer yields a very low layer frequency, so that the higher soft soil amplitudes have a wider range down to low frequencies. A thin layer yields a high layer frequency, so that the high frequencies above this layer frequency are dominant. The higher the contrast between the stiff half-space and the soft layer is, the stronger the increase between the half-space and layer amplitudes, the more characteristic are the spectra of the soil transfer function. The range of measured soils has been from vS1 down to 125 m/s, vS2 up to 1000 m/s and the layer frequencies are within 10 Hz < f0 < 75 Hz. Moreover, during this measuring campaign in Switzerland, all 11 sites showed clearly the layer-on-half-space behaviour. The transfer functions of inhomogeneous soils have been used to predict the ground vibration due to dynamic axle loads which is usually thought to be the most important component.
The passage of static loads, in the contrary, results in very small vibration amplitudes for low train speeds, which can only be found at near distances and at low frequencies. They attenuate very rapidly with distance and lose very rapidly the higher frequency content. The passage of static axle loads can be included in the prediction of railway vibration just for completeness.
Special attention should be given to the case if the train runs with the Rayleigh-wave speed of the soil (Rayleigh train). The Rayleigh-train effect is strongest for a homogeneous half-space: At the near-field of the track the amplitudes are raised strongly compared to normal trains, and in addition, little attenuation with distance is observed. In case of a layered soil, the low-frequency cut-off reduces the frequency range and the amplitudes of the homogeneous quasi-static ground vibrations. Therefore, the Rayleigh-train effects are clearly reduced by a layered soil and they disappear if the layer frequency (for example for a thin layer) is higher than the frequency band of the axle impulse. The Rayleigh-train effect could completely disappear in a randomly inhomogeneous soil, but this has not been analysed so far.
The axle impulses from static loads can have an additional, quite different effect. They can be scattered by a randomly inhomogeneous soil so that a part (the scattered part) of the axle impulse can reach further distances from the track. This can establish a certain mid-frequency component of the ground vibration which becomes dominant in the far-field, and this important component exists for all train speeds. Experimental results from BAM and international measurements show the importance of the corresponding frequency range.
The mitigation of train induced ground vibration by elastic and stiff track elements has been analysed threefold. The vehicle-track interaction yields the reduction at high frequencies above the vehicle-track resonance. This is the standard effect. The filtering of trackbed errors by the bending stiffness of the track yields a certain mid-frequency effect. An even stronger mid-frequency effect is predicted for the mitigation of the scattered axle impulses by the bending stiffness and elastic elements of the track.
Three measurement campaigns of train-induced ground vibrations are evaluated for the vehicle-track-soil interaction. Ground vibrations, track vibrations and vehicle vibrations have been measured for train passages and impulse excitation and compared with theoretical results.
The soil and the track-soil system are calculated by wavenumber integrals. The influence of the vehicle is introduced by a substructure method. By comparing theory and measurement the different components of excitation force and ground vibration can be analysed, the quasi-static excitation, track-alignment errors, the out-of-roundness of wheels, the wheel and rail roughness, and moreover, scattered axle impulses and ineffective high-frequency parts of the wheelset accelerations and forces.
Erschütterungen durch Industrie und Verkehr, Schwingungen von Gebäuden, Fundamenten und Gleisen hängen im hohen Maße vom jeweiligen unterliegenden Boden ab. Die Eigenschaften des Bodens ermitteln wir mit Wellenmessungen vor Ort. Die Wellen werden in der Regel mit einem Impulshammer erzeugt und mit Geophonen als Schwinggeschwindigkeits-signale gemessen. Geophone sind aktive Sensoren, die eine kleine Messspannung liefern. Ein 72-kanaliges Messsystem mit entsprechenden Messverstärkern ist im Messwagen der Arbeitsgruppe eingebaut. Es werden im Vortrag fünf verschiedene Auswertemethoden vorgestellt. Im einfachsten Fall versucht man die Laufzeit von einem Geophon zum andern auszumessen und damit die vorherrschende Wellengeschwindigkeit zu ermitteln. Wir haben Wellengeschwindigkeiten von 30 m/s für Moorboden bis 1000 m/s für Felsboden gemessen. Der Boden hat aber nicht nur eine Wellengeschwindigkeit, sondern mehrere frequenzabhängige Wellen-geschwindigkeiten. Dadurch wird aus einem kurzen Hammerschlag eine längere Schwingung (Zerstreuung, Dispersion). Für die Auswertung von dispersiven Wellen nutzt man die spektrale Analyse, zunächst mit zwei Aufnehmern (SASW Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves), später mit einer ganzen Messachse (Multi-Station SASW). Schließlich kann man eine ganze Messachse auch mit verschiedenen Transformationsmethoden auswerten wie die f,v-Methode und Spatial AutoCorrelation SPAC Methode. Alle diese Methoden wurden von uns auf Messreisen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz getestet. Durch die Approximation der frequenzabhängigen Wellengeschwindigkeiten erhält man ein passendes Bodenmodell. Zu diesem Bodenmodell kann man die Übertra¬gungsfunktionen für Hammer- und Zuganregung berechnen. Bei etlichen Mess¬orten wurden deutliche Merkmale einer Bodenschichtung beobachtet. Es ergibt sich eine Reduktion der tiefen Frequenzanteile durch den steifen unterliegenden Halbraum. Die weiche Deckschicht bestimmt das hochfrequente Verhalten.
The present contribution evaluates four measuring series made by the Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing for the relations between train speed and ground vibration amplitudes. This experimental evaluation is supported by the simulation of the train passages at the different sites by using appropriate excitation mechanisms and forces as well as layered soil models which have been derived from impact measurements at each site.
Die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung hat in den letzten 30 Jahren an vielen Orten Bahnerschütterungen gemessen. Dabei wurden immer auch Versuche zur Bestimmung der Bodeneigen-schaften durchgeführt, meist mit Hammeranregung, gelegentlich auch mit Schwingeranregung. Es werden verschiedene Auswertemethoden wie Seismogramm-Montage, Spektrale Analyse (SASW), Multistation Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), f,v-Analyse (Dispersion aus zweifacher Fourier-Analyse), Spatial AutoCorrelation (SPAC, hier auch für deterministische Quellen) vorgestellt. Durch Approximation der frequenzabhängigen Wellengeschwindigkeiten (Dispersion) oder der gemessenen Übertragungsfunktionen erhält man ein passendes Bodenmodell. Zu diesem Bodenmodell kann man dann die Übertragungsfunktionen für Hammer- und Zuganregung berechnen. Mit allgemeinen oder spezifischen Achslastspektren werden dann die Bahnerschütterungen prognostiziert und mit den Messergebnissen verglichen. Bei etlichen Messorten, insbesondere in der Schweiz, wurden deutliche Merkmale einer Bodenschichtung beobachtet. Es ergibt sich eine deutliche Reduktion der tiefen Frequenzanteile durch den steifen unterliegenden Halbraum. Die weiche Deckschicht bestimmt das hochfrequente Verhalten. Hier bewirkt die Materialdämpfung des Bodens oft einen starken Amplitudenabfall, sowohl mit der Entfernung als auch mit der Frequenz. Für den verbleibenden mittelfrequenten Anteil wurde an mehreren Messorten die Amplituden-Fahrgeschwindigkeits-Gesetzmäßigkeiten untersucht. Es gibt konstante bis stark ansteigende Amplituden, und es zeigt sich auch hier, dass der geschichtete Boden von entscheidender Bedeutung ist.
The present contribution evaluates four measuring series made by the Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing for the relations between train speed and ground vibration amplitudes. This experimental evaluation is supported by the simulation of the train passages at the different sites by using appropriate excitation mechanisms and forces as well as layered soil models which have been derived from impact measurements at each site.
Die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung hat in den letzten 30 Jahren an vielen Orten Bahnerschütterungen gemessen. Dabei wurden immer auch Versuche zur Bestimmung der Bodeneigen-schaften durchgeführt, meist mit Hammeranregung, gelegentlich auch mit Schwingeranregung. Es werden verschiedene Auswertemethoden wie Seismogramm-Montage, Spektrale Analyse (SASW), Multistation Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), f,v-Analyse (Dispersion aus zweifacher Fourier-Analyse), Spatial AutoCorrelation (SPAC, hier auch für deterministische Quellen) vorgestellt. Durch Approximation der frequenzabhängigen Wellengeschwindigkeiten (Dispersion) oder der gemessenen Übertragungsfunktionen erhält man ein passendes Bodenmodell. Zu diesem Bodenmodell kann man dann die Übertragungsfunktionen für Hammer- und Zuganregung berechnen. Mit allgemeinen oder spezifischen Achslastspektren werden dann die Bahnerschütterungen prognostiziert und mit den Messergebnissen verglichen. Bei etlichen Messorten, insbesondere in der Schweiz, wurden deutliche Merkmale einer Bodenschichtung beobachtet. Es ergibt sich eine deutliche Reduktion der tiefen Frequenzanteile durch den steifen unterliegenden Halbraum. Die weiche Deckschicht bestimmt das hochfrequente Verhalten. Hier bewirkt die Materialdämpfung des Bodens oft einen starken Amplitudenabfall, sowohl mit der Entfernung als auch mit der Frequenz. Für den verbleibenden mittelfrequenten Anteil wurde an mehreren Messorten die Amplituden-Fahrgeschwindigkeits-Gesetzmäßigkeiten untersucht. Es gibt konstante bis stark ansteigende Amplituden, und es zeigt sich auch hier, dass der geschichtete Boden von entscheidender Bedeutung ist.
Mitigation measures of railway induced vibration have been demonstrated at the emission, transmission and immission part. It must be carefully observed that the correct masses and stiffnesses are used.
Typical mistakes have been shown,
- 1D models for vehicle-track interaction,
- impedance instead of stiffness for the infill material of a trench,
- rigid buildings or neglecting the soil-building interaction.
The dominant mid-frequency part of the ground vibration is due to the irregular soil.
Measured train passages and hammer impacts in combination with track-soil calculation have been successfully used for the detection of damaged slab tracks. This approach is now extended to intact slab and ballast tracks. The vibrations of many tracks have been measured at several levels from rail, sleeper, track plate, base plate, base layer to the subsoil by velocity or acceleration sensors. The time histories have to be integrated once or twice to get the displacements. The displacement signals include an arbitrary time-dependent shift which must be eliminated or respected in the interpretation. On the other hand, the calculation of slab and ballast tracks have been done in frequency-wavenumber domain. The displacements along the track and the frequency-dependent compliance transfer functions can be calculated. The latter can be compared with the results of the hammer impacts on the track. The deformation of the track can be transformed to time histories for a whole train and compared to the measured train passages. Many slab (and ballast) tracks have been measured at different sites. The displacements of the tracks are presented, and the following parameters have been analysed in the measurement results: slab track vs. ballast track, different types of slab tracks, damaged slab tracks, different trains, switches at different measuring points, an elastic layer, the mortar layer, different soils at different places. The soil should have the dominant influence on the track-plate displacements. Slab and ballast track yield also big differences in maximum displacement and width of deformation. Some of the preceding aspects will be analysed in comparison of measurement and theory.
Measured train passages and hammer impacts in combination with track-soil calculation have been successfully used for the detection of damaged slab tracks. This approach is now extended to intact slab and ballast tracks. The vibrations of many tracks have been measured at several levels from rail, sleeper, track plate, base plate, base layer to the subsoil by velocity or acceleration sensors. The time histories have to be integrated once or twice to get the displacements. The displacement signals include an arbitrary time-dependent shift which must be eliminated or respected in the interpretation. On the other hand, the calculation of slab and ballast tracks have been done in frequency-wavenumber domain. The displacements along the track and the frequency-dependent compliance transfer functions can be calculated. The latter can be compared with the results of the hammer impacts on the track. The deformation of the track can be transformed to time histories for a whole train and compared to the measured train passages. Many slab (and ballast) tracks have been measured at different sites. The displacements of the tracks are presented, and the following parameters have been analysed in the measurement results: slab track vs. ballast track, different types of slab tracks, damaged slab tracks, different trains, switches at different measuring points, an elastic layer, the mortar layer, different soils at different places. The soil should have the dominant influence on the track-plate displacements. Slab and ballast track yield also big differences in maximum displacement and width of deformation. Some of the preceding aspects will be analysed in comparison of measurement and theory.
A combined finite-element boundary-element method for the dynamic interaction of the soil with flexible structures such as single piles or complete wind energy towers has been developed. Flexible piles in different soils are analysed in frequency domain. The different parameters such as the stiffness of the soil, the bending stiffness and the radius of the hollow pile are analysed for their influence on the complex compliances. The results have been determined as specific power laws which are different for the different load cases (horizontal, rocking, coupling) and for the different soil models (Winkler, continuum with constant, root-parabolic and proportional-linear stiffness variation). The strongest influence of the soil stiffness can be found for the homogeneous soil and the horizontal component. Winkler soils have a weaker influence than the corresponding continuous soils. An offshore wind energy tower has been modeled and calculated for wind and wave loads.
Three measurement campaigns of train-induced ground vibrations are evaluated for the vehicle-track-soil interaction. Ground vibrations, track vibrations and vehicle vibrations have been measured for train passages and impulse excitation and compared with theoretical results. The soil and the track-soil system are calculated by wavenumber integrals. The influence of the vehicle is introduced by a substructure method. By comparing theory and measurement the different components of excitation force and ground vibration can be analysed, the quasi-static excitation, track-alignment errors, the out-of-roundness of wheels, the wheel and rail roughness, and moreover, scattered axle impulses and ineffective high-frequency parts of the wheelset accelerations and forces.
Three measurement campaigns of train-induced ground vibrations are evaluated for the vehicle-track-soil interaction. Ground vibrations, track vibrations and vehicle vibrations have been measured for train passages and impulse excitation and compared with theoretical results. The soil and the track-soil system are calculated by wavenumber integrals. The influence of the vehicle is introduced by a substructure method. By comparing theory and measurement the different components of excitation force and ground vibration can be analysed, the quasi-static excitation, track-alignment errors, the out-of-roundness of wheels, the wheel and rail roughness, and moreover, scattered axle impulses and ineffective high-frequency parts of the wheelset accelerations and Forces.
Two measurement campaigns of train-induced ground vibrations are evaluated for the vehicle-track-soil interaction. Ground vibrations, track vibrations and vehicle vibrations have been measured for train passages and impulse excitation and compared with theoretical results. The soil and the track-soil system are calculated by wavenumber integrals. The influence of the vehicle is introduced by a substructure method. By comparing theory and measurement the different components of excitation force and ground vibration can be analysed, the quasi-static excitation, track-alignment errors, the out-of-roundness of wheels, the wheel and rail roughness, and moreover, scattered axle impulses and ineffective high-frequency parts of the wheelset accelerations and forces.
Die gesamte Prognose wurde rechnerisch erfasst. Die Rechenverfahren sind einfach und schnell. Die Emission und die Immission verwendet Übertragungsmatrizen. Die Transmissionsrechnung beruht auf der Dispersion der Rayleighwelle. Die Verknüpfung erfolgt über die Anregungskraft auf den Boden und über die Freifeldamplitude am Gebäude.
Es sind viele Eingabemöglichkeiten für Messdaten vorgesehen. Messungen können von einem Ort auf einen anderen Ort übertragen werden.
A study on building vibrations has been performed by finite element calculations. Family houses, multi-storey residential buildings, office buildings and office towers have been modelled in detail. The frequency-dependent response due to a free-field excitation has been evaluated for walls, columns and floors. The ratio of building amplitudes to free-field amplitudes starts with uB/u0 = 1 at zero frequency and is usually lower than 1 at 50 Hz, the end of the frequency range considered here. In between, amplifications occur due to several reasons. There are „soil resonances“ where the whole building is vibrating on the compliant soil, “column resonances” where the upper storeys are vibrating on the compliant columns, and the “floor resonances” where the floors are vibrating excited by their supports. Results are presented for all building types, but a special focus is set on office buildings. A parameter study shows the influence of the stiffness of the soil, the number of storeys, and the width of the building. It has been found that the “soil resonance” is strongly modified by the low-frequency floor resonances for the normal office building. The main resonance of a twenty-storey office tower is determined equally by the “soil mode” and the “column mode”. It is an important observation for these office buildings that the resonances can differ for different parts of the building such as the centre, the edge, the corner, and the core of the building. This leads to non-uniform vibration modes across the building, which look like another type of “floor resonance” and which have been observed in several real building projects. Experimental results will be shown which can confirm the calculated phenomena.
A study on building vibrations has been performed by finite element calculations. Family houses, multi-storey residential buildings, office buildings and office towers have been modelled in detail. The frequency-dependent response due to a free-field excitation has been evaluated for walls, columns and floors. The ratio of building amplitudes to free-field amplitudes starts with uB/u0 = 1 at zero frequency and is usually lower than 1 at 50 Hz, the end of the frequency range considered here. In between, amplifications occur due to several reasons. There are „soil resonances“ where the whole building is vibrating on the compliant soil, “column resonances” where the upper storeys are vibrating on the compliant columns, and the “floor resonances” where the floors are vibrating excited by their supports. Results are presented for all building types, but a special focus is set on office buildings. A parameter study shows the influence of the stiffness of the soil, the number of storeys, and the width of the building. It has been found that the “soil resonance” is strongly modified by the low-frequency floor resonances for the normal office building. The main resonance of a twenty-storey office tower is determined equally by the “soil mode” and the “column mode”. It is an important observation for these office buildings that the resonances can differ for different parts of the building such as the centre, the edge, the corner, and the core of the building. This leads to non-uniform vibration modes across the building, which look like another type of “floor resonance” and which have been observed in several real building projects. Experimental results will be shown which can confirm the calculated phenomena.
This article deals with two topics of vehicle-track-soil interaction, the mitigation of railway induced ground vibration by soft track elements, and the identification of track damage. Theoretical results have been achieved by a combined finite-element boundary-element method (FEBEM). The theoretical results are confronted with measurements at four sites. Improved mitigation effects have been found for soft rail pads under heavy sleepers. The insertion loss, however, can be too optimistic if a strong vehicle track resonance occurs for the un-isolated reference track. Two measurement sites show this strong vehicle-track resonance at about 80 Hz, which has been approximated by using the results of a wide parameter study including the rail pad, ballast, and soil stiffness, as well as the ballast model and the soil layering. – The detection of slab track damage is mainly based on the differences of the receptance or compliance functions. Theoretical results have been confirmed by measurements at one site where a loss of contact between track plate and base layer was visible. Measurements at a second site with a hidden damage have been compared with the theoretical results of a loose sleeper. The differences between intact (or repaired) and damaged tracks are strong enough to encourage the further development of this method for the identification of track damages.
A simple and fast prediction scheme is presented for train induced ground and building vibrations. Simple models such as (1-dimensional) transfer matrices are used for the vehicle-track-soil interaction and for the building-soil interaction. The wave propagation through layered soils is approximated by a frequency-dependent homogeneous half-space. The prediction is divided into the parts “emission” (excitation by railway traffic), “transmission” (wave propagation through the soil) and “immission” (transfer into a building). The link between the modules is made by the excitation force between emission and transmission, and by the free-field vibration between transmission and immission. All formula for the simple vehicle-track, soil and building models are given in this article. The behaviour of the models is demonstrated by typical examples, that is the mitigation of train vibrations by elastic track elements, the low- and high-frequency cut-offs characteristic for layered soils, and the interacting soil, wall and floor resonances of multi-storey buildings. It is shown that the results of the simple prediction models can well represent the behaviour of the more time-consuming detailed models, the finite-element boundary-element models of the track, the wavenumber integrals for the soil, and the three-dimensional finite-element models of the building. In addition, measurement examples are given for each part of the prediction confirming that the methods provide reasonable results. As the prediction models are fast in calculation, many predictions can be done, for example to assess the environmental effect along a new railway line. The simple models have the additional advantage that the user needs to know only a minimum of parameters. So, the prediction is fast and user-friendly, but also theoretically and experimentally well-founded.
This contribution intends to give an overview on the vibration behaviour of slab tracks in comparison of measurements and calculations and also by comparison of different track types at more than ten different measuring sites.
In theory, tracks on continuous soil are calculated by the frequency-wavenumber domain method. In experiment, geophone measurements are transformed to displacement results. Two aspects of track behaviour are considered, the frequency-dependant compliance of the track, measured by hammer impact, and the deflection under a passing axle load. In theory, the response to a single axle can be calculated, whereas in experiment, only the passage of the whole train can be measured. For comparison of theory and experiment, the calculated deflection under a single axle is superposed to get the response of the whole train. As a result, the slab track characteristics are completely different from the ballast track characteristics where each axle can be seen in the time histories. The slab track has a more global behaviour where only a whole bogie can be found in the track response and moreover, the two neighbouring bogies are not completely separated. The measurement of the different track elements (rail, sleeper, track plate, base layer) and the frequency-dependant compliances with possible resonances yield further information About the properties of the track elements. The calculations show that the soil has the dominant influence on the amplitudes and the width of the track-plate displacements. In the measurement results, the following
parameters are analysed: slab track vs. ballast track, different types of slab tracks, damaged slab tracks, different trains, switches at different measuring points, voided sleepers, an elastic layer, the mortar layer, and different soils at different places. Finally, a good agreement between measured and calculated results is found for the normal and some special (damaged, floating) slab tracks.
The passage of the train is dominated by the impulses of the static axle loads. The response of the regular homogeneous and irregular soils has been calculated by the finite-element method in frequency domain. The superposition of the impulse responses yields the quasi-static component of the ground vibration which is restricted to very low frequencies and to the close near-field of the track. In case of an irregular soil or ballast of which the stiffness varies randomly in space, a mid-frequency ground vibration component is generated by the scattering of the axle impulses. Measurements will be shown which prove the existence of the mid-frequency ground vibration component and the unique explanation by the scattered axle impulses: many international measurements with a raised mid-frequency component, axle-box measurements with a too low mid-frequency dynamic load, amplitude-speed dependencies which are incompatible with irregularity-induced dynamic loads, and ground vibration reductions due to stiff track elements.
In the last three decades, the vibrations of many floors and bridges have been measured. The contribution shows some evaluation methods, experimental results and some modelling and theoretical results. Simple evaluation methods have been developed for single and coupled floors. Two coupled beams have been measured in good agreement with the theory. A more complex coupling model has been found for a large wooden floor in a castle consisting of six floor bays which correlates well with the measurements. Damaged and intact poles have been tested by their natural frequencies and damping values, and a fair correlation between the degree of damage and the shift of the frequency. Road bridges have been analysed in detail and some examples are presented. Railway bridges and trains are studied for resonant excitation. The risk of resonance can be estimated in frequency domain by using axle-sequence spectra of the train and the natural frequencies of the bridge. A measurement example shows the amplification, but even stronger the cancellation of the subsequent axle responses. Several high-speed trains and freight trains have been analysed for their potential resonance amplification.
The passage of the train is dominated by the impulses of the static axle loads. The response of the regular homogeneous and irregular soils has been calculated by the finite-element method in frequency domain. The superposition of the impulse responses yields the quasi-static component of the ground vibration which is restricted to very low frequencies and to the close near-field of the track. In case of an irregular soil or ballast of which the stiffness varies randomly in space, a mid-frequency ground vibration component is generated by the scattering of the axle impulses. Measurements will be shown which prove the existence of the mid-frequency ground vibration component and the unique explanation by the scattered axle impulses: many international measurements with a raised mid-frequency component, axle-box measurements with a too low mid-frequency dynamic load, amplitude-speed dependencies which are incompatible with irregularity-induced dynamic loads, and ground vibration reductions due to stiff track elements.
In the last three decades, the vibrations of many floors and bridges have been measured. The contribution shows some evaluation methods, experimental results and some modelling and theoretical results. Simple evaluation methods have been developed for single and coupled floors. Two coupled beams have been measured in good agreement with the theory. A more complex coupling model has been found for a large wooden floor in a castle consisting of six floor bays which correlates well with the measurements. Damaged and intact poles have been tested by their natural frequencies and damping values, and a fair correlation between the degree of damage and the shift of the frequency. Road bridges have been analysed in detail and some examples are presented. Railway bridges and trains are studied for resonant excitation. The risk of resonance can be estimated in frequency domain by using axle-sequence spectra of the train and the natural frequencies of the bridge. A measurement example shows the amplification, but even stronger the cancellation of the subsequent axle responses. Several high-speed trains and freight trains have been analysed for their potential resonance amplification.
The train passages over intact or damaged slab tracks on different soils have been calculated by the finite-element boundary-element or the wavenumber-domain method. The influence of track and soil parameters on the distribution of the track displacements and the soil forces has been analysed. The measured and calculated displacement time histories of train passages could be used to identify track damages such as lose sleepers or a lose track plate. The time histories and spectra of the soil forces can explain the measured ground vibration reduction of slab tracks. The calculated displacement and force distributions of slab tracks on continuous soils do not fulfil the Winkler hypothesis and Winkler models should not be used for track analysis.
Eindimensionale Modelle des Gleises aus einem Schienenstützpunkt, zweidimensionale Modelle enthalten die Kraftverteilung der Schiene. Eindimensionale Modelle machen einen Fehler, weil sie eine zu große Fahrzeugmasse berücksichtigen. Man kann jedoch bei der Berechnung der Minderungswirkung von Gleiselementen eindimensionale Gleismodelle verwenden, um die Kraftübertragung des Gleises bzw. die Minderungswirkung des Gleises zu berechnen. Die Wechselwirkung mit dem Fahrzeug kann einfach mit der dynamischen Stützpunktsteifigkeit berechnet werden. Dabei muss die Stützpunktsteifigkeit mit einer charakteristischen Gleislänge multipliziert werden, die frequenz- und systemabhängig ist.
Erschütterungen, die durch Eisenbahnverkehr erzeugt werden, breiten sich durch den Erdboden aus und regen benachbarte Gebäude zu Schwingungen an. Es wurde ein Prognoseverfahren für Bahnerschütterungen ent-wickelt, das mit einfachen Modellen schnell Ergebnisse liefert. Dies sind physikalische Modelle, zum Beispiel 1-dimensionale Modelle mit Übertragungsmatrizen für die Fahrzeug-Fahrweg-Boden-Wechselwirkung und für die Gebäude-Boden Wechselwirkung. Damit werden die komplexen Verhältnisse bei der Emission (dem Zusammen¬wirken von Fahrzeug und Fahrweg), bei der Transmission durch den homogenen oder geschichteten Boden und bei der Immission in Gebäuden näherungsweise erfasst. In (Auersch, 2020) wird gezeigt, dass diese einfachen Prognosemodelle die Ergebnisse von detaillierten Modellen wie der Finite-Element-Randelement-Methode für das Gleis, die Wellenzahlintegrale für den Boden und 3-dimensionale Finite-Element-Modelle für das Gebäude gut wiedergeben können. Dies entspricht auch der Absicht, die Prognosemodelle aus den Ergebnissen der Detailmodelle abzuleiten. Die drei Prognoseteile werden getrennt berechnet, aber es werden physikalisch sinn¬volle Schnittstellen verwendet. Für die Emission und Transmission sind es die auf den Untergrund wirkenden Erregerkräfte von Fahrzeug und Fahrweg, für die Transmission und Immission sind es die Freifeldamplituden des Bodens.
Erschütterungen, die durch Eisenbahnverkehr erzeugt werden, breiten sich durch den Erdboden aus und regen benachbarte Gebäude zu Schwingungen an. Es wurde ein Prognoseverfahren für Bahnerschütterungen ent-wickelt, das mit einfachen Modellen schnell Ergebnisse liefert. Dies sind physikalische Modelle, zum Beispiel 1-dimensionale Modelle mit Übertragungsmatrizen für die Fahrzeug-Fahrweg-Boden-Wechselwirkung und für die Gebäude-Boden Wechselwirkung. Damit werden die komplexen Verhältnisse bei der Emission (dem Zusammen¬wirken von Fahrzeug und Fahrweg), bei der Transmission durch den homogenen oder geschichteten Boden und bei der Immission in Gebäuden näherungsweise erfasst. In (Auersch, 2020) wird gezeigt, dass diese einfachen Prognosemodelle die Ergebnisse von detaillierten Modellen wie der Finite-Element-Randelement-Methode für das Gleis, die Wellenzahlintegrale für den Boden und 3-dimensionale Finite-Element-Modelle für das Gebäude gut wiedergeben können. Dies entspricht auch der Absicht, die Prognosemodelle aus den Ergebnissen der Detailmodelle abzuleiten. Die drei Prognoseteile werden getrennt berechnet, aber es werden physikalisch sinn¬volle Schnittstellen verwendet. Für die Emission und Transmission sind es die auf den Untergrund wirkenden Erregerkräfte von Fahrzeug und Fahrweg, für die Transmission und Immission sind es die Freifeldamplituden des Bodens.
Prediction of building noise and vibration – 3D finite element and 1D wave propagation models
(2021)
Construction work or traffic excite nearby buildings, and the perceptible or audible vibration can be a nuisance for the inhabitants. The transfer of the vibration from the free field to the building has been calculated by the finite element method for many models in consultancy and research work. The analysis for all storeys of certain building points such as walls, columns and floors unveiled some rules, some typical modes, and some wavetype responses. A simplified building-soil model has been created, which includes well these effects of building-soil resonance, wall/column resonance, floor resonances, and the high-frequency reduction. The model consists of one wall for a wall-type apartment building or a column for each specific part (mid, side or corner) of a column-type office building. The building response in the high-frequency (acoustic) region is calculated as mean values over all storeys and over wider frequency bands, by wave-type asymptotes of an infinitely tall building, and by the soil to wall ratio of impedances. The secondary noise is predicted by Transfer values between the building vibration (center of floors, walls at a room corner) and the sound pressure.
Prediction of building noise and vibration – 3D finite element and 1D wave propagation models
(2021)
Construction work or traffic excite nearby buildings, and the perceptible or audible vibration can be a nuisance for the inhabitants. The transfer of the vibration from the free field to the building has been calculated by the finite element method for many models in consultancy and research work. The analysis for all storeys of certain building points such as walls, columns and floors unveiled some rules, some typical modes, and some wavetype responses. A simplified building-soil model has been created, which includes well these effects of building-soil resonance, wall/column resonance, floor resonances, and the high-frequency reduction. The model consists of one wall for a wall-type apartment building or a column for each specific part (mid, side or corner) of a column-type office building. The building response in the high-frequency (acoustic) region is calculated as mean values over all storeys and over wider frequency bands, by wave-type asymptotes of an infinitely tall building, and by the soil to wall ratio of impedances. The secondary noise is predicted by Transfer values between the building vibration (center of floors, walls at a room corner) and the sound pressure.
Die Linienlastgesetzmäßigkeit gilt nicht für Zuganregung. Die Punktlastgesetzmäßigkeit wird bei kurzen Zügen in größeren Entfernungen erreicht. Bei langen Zügen reduziert sich die Abnahme um r-0,3 für die theoretische exponentielle Dämpfungsabnahme, um r-0,5 für die vereinfachte potentielle Dämpfungsabnahme. Die gemessenen Abnahmereduktionen liegen in diesem Bereich.
In this article, the passage of different trains over different bridges will be studied for resonant excitation. The intensity of the resonance will be estimated in frequency domain by using three separated spectra. At first, the excitation spectrum of the modal forces is built by the mode shape and the passage time of the train over the bridge. The second spectrum is the frequency response function of the bridge which include the modal frequency, damping and mass. The third part is the spectrum of the axle sequence of the train. The influences of train speed, bridge length, bridge support, track irregularities, and train type on the resonance amplitudes will be analysed for each of these spectra separately for getting a better insight. A variety of axle-sequence spectra and corresponding rules will be presented for different vehicles and trains. As examples, the passage of a slow freight train over a long-span bridge, a normal passenger train over a medium-span bridge, and a high-speed train over a short bridge will be analysed. Corresponding measurements show the amplification, but also the cancellation of the subsequent axle responses. Namely in one of the measurement examples, the first mode of the bridge was amplified and the second mode was cancelled at a low speed of the train and vice versa at a higher speed.
The dynamic behaviour of slab and ballast tracks has been investigated by measurements and calculations. Hammer impacts and train passages have been analysed. Measurements have been performed by geophones (velocity transducers) which have been time-integrated to displacements. The calculations are done in frequency-wavenumber domain for multi-beam-on-continuous soil models. The characteristics of the different tracks and track elements have been established in theory and experiment. The frequency-dependent compliances (displacement transfer functions) show clear rail-on-rail-pad resonances or highly damped track-soil resonances. Compared to the rail and sleeper, the track plate has much lower amplitudes. The slab track has usually the highest rail amplitudes due to soft rail pads. The train passage yields track displacements which are a superposition of the axle loads from the two neighbouring axles of a bogie and from the two bogies of two neighbouring carriages. This global behaviour is characteristic for the track plate of the slab track whereas the rails of the slab and the ballast track behave more local with only one bogie of influence. The measurements agree very well with the theory of the continuous soil in case of the six measured slab tracks and acceptably well for the six measured ballast tracks. The measurements allow to find appropriate model parameters and to check the models, for example the Winkler model of the soil has been found less appropriate as it reacts more locally.
Many measurements of train induced ground vibrations show high amplitudes for a certain mid-frequency range. This ground vibration component cannot be well explained by dynamic loads of the train. Many characteristics indicate that the axle impulses, which are scattered by an irregular soil, are the excitation. This new understanding of railway-induced ground vibration is verified by numerical analysis. The response of the regular homogeneous and irregular inhomogeneous soils has been calculated by the finite-element method in frequency domain. A specific superposition of the impulse responses has been invented including time shift, axle sequence, track filter and hanning filter. The superposition yields the quasi-static component of the ground vibration which is restricted to very low frequencies and to the close near-field of the track. In case of an irregular soil of which the stiffness varies randomly in space, the superposition yields a mid-frequency ground vibration component from the scattering of the axle impulses. The existence and the importance of this component can thus be demonstrated by the calculations. Some rules of the influence of distance, train speed, soil stiffness, strength and width of the stiffness variation have been derived from the calculations. Many measurements show the unique explanation of the mid-frequency ground vibration component by the scattered axle impulses.
Zur Erschütterungsausbreitung an oberirdischen Bahnlinien gibt es gute Übereinstimmungen zwischen Messungen und der Theorie geschichteter Böden. Bei der Interpretation der Ergebnisse spielt die Rayleigh-Welle eine große Rolle. Je nach Frequenz und Wellenlänge hat die Rayleigh-Welle eine bestimmte Eindringtiefe und erreicht damit mehr oder weniger steife Bodenschichten. Damit bekommt man eine frequenzabhängige Bodensteifigkeit für die Erschütterungsprognose. Für die Wellenausbreitung in der Tiefe statt an der Bodenoberfläche müssen eigene Gesetzmäßigkeiten gefunden werden. Es werden die Punktlastlösungen im Frequenz-Wellenzahlbereich und durch Integration über die Wellenzahlen berechnet. Man erhält die Wellenfelder, die Terzspektren für verschiedene Entfernungen und Frequenzen. Es wird die Tiefenlage und das Bodenmodell (homogen, geschichtet und kontinuierlich zunehmende Steifigkeit) variiert. Die Rayleigh-Welle verliert ihre Bedeutung und stattdessen kann die Vollraumlösung zur Interpretation und Prognose verwendet werden. Es werden die Halbraumlösung mit und ohne Rayleigh-Welle und die Vollraumlösung in der Tiefe diskutiert und verglichen. Neben der Wellenausbreitung (der Transmission) werden auch Effekte der Erschütterungsanregung (der Emission) und der Übertragung in Gebäude (der Immission) mit Hilfe der Finite-Element-Randelement-Methode berechnet. Die Verteilung der dynamischen Achslast durch die Tunnelsohle ergibt eine Minderung gegenüber der Punktlastanregung. Bei der Immission hat man keine Freifeldanregung wie an der Bodenoberfläche. Man muss entweder neben der Wellenamplitude (Verschiebung oder Schwinggeschwindigkeit) in der Tiefe auch die Spannung der ankommenden Welle berücksichtigen, oder man muss die Freifeldamplituden nach Bodenaushub berechnen. Die Rechenergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass man als Freifeldanregung die zweifache Vollraumlösung ansetzen kann.
Zur Erschütterungsausbreitung an oberirdischen Bahnlinien gibt es gute Übereinstimmungen zwischen Messungen und der Theorie geschichteter Böden. Bei der Interpretation der Ergebnisse spielt die Rayleigh-Welle eine große Rolle. Je nach Frequenz und Wellenlänge hat die Rayleigh-Welle eine bestimmte Eindringtiefe und erreicht damit mehr oder weniger steife Bodenschichten. Damit bekommt man eine frequenzabhängige Bodensteifigkeit für die Erschütterungsprognose. Für die Wellenausbreitung in der Tiefe statt an der Bodenoberfläche müssen eigene Gesetzmäßigkeiten gefunden werden. Es werden die Punktlastlösungen im Frequenz-Wellenzahlbereich und durch Integration über die Wellenzahlen berechnet. Man erhält die Wellenfelder, die Terzspektren für verschiedene Entfernungen und Frequenzen. Es wird die Tiefenlage und das Bodenmodell (homogen, geschichtet und kontinuierlich zunehmende Steifigkeit) variiert. Die Rayleigh-Welle verliert ihre Bedeutung und stattdessen kann die Vollraumlösung zur Interpretation und Prognose verwendet werden. Es werden die Halbraumlösung mit und ohne Rayleigh-Welle und die Vollraumlösung in der Tiefe diskutiert und verglichen. Neben der Wellenausbreitung (der Transmission) werden auch Effekte der Erschütterungsanregung (der Emission) und der Übertragung in Gebäude (der Immission) mit Hilfe der Finite-Element-Randelement-Methode berechnet. Die Verteilung der dynamischen Achslast durch die Tunnelsohle ergibt eine Minderung gegenüber der Punktlastanregung. Bei der Immission hat man keine Freifeldanregung wie an der Bodenoberfläche. Man muss entweder neben der Wellenamplitude (Verschiebung oder Schwinggeschwindigkeit) in der Tiefe auch die Spannung der ankommenden Welle berücksichtigen, oder man muss die Freifeldamplituden nach Bodenaushub berechnen. Die Rechenergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass man als Freifeldanregung die zweifache Vollraumlösung ansetzen kann.
Measurements at the foundation, the surrounding soil and nearby buildings have been done during several drop tests of different containers on different foundations. The first measurements have been done on a big foundation where it should be guaranteed that the foundation is rigid and the container is tested properly. It was controlled that the foundation does not absorb more than 2 percent of the energy of the container. Most of the drop energy is lost in shock absorbers. Later on, a smaller drop test facility has been built on the ground but inside an existing building. It had to be controlled by prediction and measurements that the drop test will not damage the building. Tests from different heights on soft, medium, and stiff targets have been done to find out rules which allow to identify acceptable and unacceptable drop tests. Later on, the biggest drop test facility has been built for masses up to 200 t. It was necessary for the design of the foundation to estimate the forces which occur during the drop tests. On the other hand, the acceptable tests should be selected and controlled by measurements where the impact duration is important. Different sensors, accelerometers, accelerometers with mechanical filters, geophones (velocity transducers), strain gauges, and pressure cells have been applied for these tasks. The signals have been transformed to displacements which proved to be best suited for the interpretation of the impact mechanism. Modell calculations have been used to check and understand the dynamic measurements. The simplest law is the conservation of the momentum which is a good approximation if the impact is short. If the soil under the foundation has an influence on the deceleration of the container, the maximum foundation velocity is lower than the simple estimation. The amplitudes of the foundation could also be estimated from the ground vibrations and their amplitude-distance law.
Measurements at the foundation, the surrounding soil and nearby buildings have been done during several drop tests of different containers on different foundations. The first measurements have been done on a big foundation where it should be guaranteed that the foundation is rigid and the container is tested properly. It was controlled that the foundation does not absorb more than 2 percent of the energy of the container. Most of the drop energy is lost in shock absorbers. Later on, a smaller drop test facility has been built on the ground but inside an existing building. It had to be controlled by prediction and measurements that the drop test will not damage the building. Tests from different heights on soft, medium, and stiff targets have been done to find out rules which allow to identify acceptable and unacceptable drop tests. Later on, the biggest drop test facility has been built for masses up to 200 t. It was necessary for the design of the foundation to estimate the forces which occur during the drop tests. On the other hand, the acceptable tests should be selected and controlled by measurements where the impact duration is important. Different sensors, accelerometers, accelerometers with mechanical filters, geophones (velocity transducers), strain gauges, and pressure cells have been applied for these tasks. The signals have been transformed to displacements which proved to be best suited for the interpretation of the impact mechanism. Modell calculations have been used to check and understand the dynamic measurements. The simplest law is the conservation of the momentum which is a good approximation if the impact is short. If the soil under the foundation has an influence on the deceleration of the container, the maximum foundation velocity is lower than the simple estimation. The amplitudes of the foundation could also be estimated from the ground vibrations and their amplitude-distance law.
The present contribution evaluates four measuring series made by the Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing for the relations between train speed and ground vibration amplitudes. This experimental evaluation is supported by the simulation of the train passages at the different sites by using appropriate excitation mechanisms and forces as well as layered soil models which have been derived from impact measurements at each site.
There is a strong need for cost-effective mitigation measures for
turnouts. SBB has initiated a series of examinations using different methodologies to gain a deeper understanding of the excitation mechanisms at low frequencies, in addition to that obtained in the RIVAS project. To date it is not yet clear what constitutes a complete measurement data set that would enable understanding most of the vibration excitation mechanisms in turnouts. Increasing vibration at turnouts in comparison to normal track is observed for all measured frequencies.
The different methodologies are presented in the paper. Under-sleeper pads (USP) are a cost-effective method to reduce vibration at frequencies above 63 Hz (1/3 octave), but there is probably no improvement for frequencies below 63 Hz. A first test of new frog geometry did not show relevant improvements in Vibration emission in comparison to a reference frog geometry. Axle box acceleration measurements are an interesting method to identify defects in a turnout. A specialized measurement system of rail roughness could identify certain geometry Problem areas for some frogs. Noise increases also are observed at turnouts for frequencies ranging between 80 to 1000 Hz. The use of railway source models to calculate
contact forces for ballasted track and turnouts seems promising, in particular for understanding the influence of ground.
Train-induced ground vibrations are all generated by the vehicle, by static or dynamic vehicle loads. The most important and most accepted excitation are the dynamic wheel loads from the passage over track irregularities. Dynamic wheel loads will be compared from parallel axle-box and ground vibration measurements at more than seven sites. Some low-frequency excitation of ground vibrations, typically between 10 and 30 Hz, cannot be found in the axle-box measurements. Therefore, other vehicle modes, such as rigid bogie modes, flexible carriage modes, rigid and flexible wheelset modes, have been analysed for additional excitation forces. These vehicle dynamics analyses give an explanation for higher axle-box results at high frequencies, but not for the excitation of the higher low-frequency ground-vibration component. Finally, the effect of the moving static train loads will be analysed. For a regular track and soil, the moving static train loads yield the quasi-static response which exists only in the low-frequency nearfield of the track. If the support stiffness is randomly varying along the track, the pulses on the track generate an additional low-frequency component which is called the irregular pulse responses.
This component will be demonstrated by numerical analysis where all axle pulses are superposed in frequency domain.