Train-Induced Ground Vibration and Its Prediction

Abstract: This thesis based on a series of ground vibrationmeasurements at different sites presents two differentsemi-empirical models for prediction of ground-borne vibrationdue to train traffic.Ground-borne vibration due to train traffic may causeannoyance to people who live nearby the track or interfere withthe operation of sensitive equipment inside the buildings.Therefore despite the fact that ground-borne vibration fromtrain traffic usually do not cause damage to the buildings, theeconomical and environmental aspects of the issue justifycareful assessment of the problem prior to constructing newrailway tracks or upgrading the existing ones for heavier andfaster traffic. It is in this context that a model forprediction of traininduced ground-borne vibration can beuseful.Any model for prediction of ground-borne vibration due totrain traffic must include at least three main components.These three main components, which themselves may include manydifferent parts are the source, propagation path, and thereceiver. Depending on how detailed these three components aredefined, and how accurate the predictions made by the modelare, they can be classified into three different classes, classI, class II, and class III.The first model presented in the thesis is a class Iprediction model that can be integrated into a GIS system inorder to study large areas and thereby choose the best positionof a new railway or determine locations with risk for excessiveground-borne vibration in case of upgrading existing railwaysfor higher axle load and train speed.A class II semi-empirical model is also suggested in thethesis which can be used in order to study the problem in amore accurate way and rather short time at those locations thathave been identified by the first model. This model is based ona library of sub-models corresponding to the source, path andthe receiver. The sub-models can be put together by the user inorder to make a specially made confectionary model suitable foreach specific site and case.Using the measurement data some general conclusions havealso been discussed with respect to the effect of wheel force,train speed, train type, train length, geotechnical conditionsof the site, building?s dynamic characteristics, and somemitigation methods on the ground-borne vibration induced bytrain traffic.Key words:ground vibration, train traffic, predictionmodel, vibration effects, vibration mitigation.