Experimental validation of a numerical model for the ground vibration from trains in tunnels

Abstract

Ground vibration and ground-borne noise from trains in tunnels are attracting increasing attention from researchers and engineers. They are important environmental issues related with the operation of underground networks in intensively-populated urban areas. An accurate prediction for this train-induced vibration can be very helpful in the implementation of countermeasures to achieve the control of vibration or noise levels. In this paper, a numerical model is introduced based on the 2.5D Finite Element / Boundary Element methodology. The part of the metro line concerned is built with a cast-iron tunnel lining. The tunnel structure and the track are modelled with finite elements while the ground is modelled using boundary elements. Then the 2.5D tracktunnel-ground model is coupled with a multiple-rigid body vehicle model to determine the response caused by the passage of a train. To validate the prediction results, measurements have been carried out of the vibration of the rail, tunnel invert, tunnel wall and ground surface when the train is passing by and these are compared with the predictions with good agreement