Track-ground vibrations induced by railway traffic: experimental validation of a 3D numerical model

This paper presents a numerical model that can be used to perform a fully three-dimensional analysis of problems involving vibrations induced by railway traffic, taking into account the dynamic interaction of the vehicle-structure-ground system. The structure and the vehicle are modelled with finite elements, while the behaviour of the ground is described by its Green's functions. It is a particular case of a FEM/BEM coupling, in the time domain, wherein the structure modelled with finite elements lays on the surface of the ground. The dynamic analysis of the system results from the direct and efficient calculation of a single system of equations. The validation of the proposed model is based on the results of an experimental campaign developed in a stretch of the Portuguese railway network. The vibrations generated by one passage of the Alfa Pendular train are analysed and a good agreement between measured and calculated responses is achieved.