Modelling Ambient Vibration Responses Induced by Operation of Metro Train on Curved Rail Segment with Small Curvature Radius

The torsional effect of the tracks on curved segment intensifies the ambient vibration response induced by Metro operation. This paper studies the ambient vibration responses induced by the operation of the Metro train on curved rail segments. By taking the curved segment of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 of China as an example, the wheel-rail model employing the multibody dynamics is demonstrated; the dynamic wheel-rail force of a B-type vehicle passing through a 350 m radius curved segment is also calculated. A finite element method model of the track-tunnel-soil-building is developed and verified by comparing the measured results with the simulated ones. Then, we analyzed the ambient vibration responses induced by the Metro operation. The results show that the horizontal vibration induced by the Metro train, on curved segments, cannot be ignored. When propagating on the ground, the variation trend of the horizontal vibration acceleration is greater than that of the vertical vibration. The horizontal vibration attenuates faster than the vertical vibration. The secondary vibration along the horizontal direction yields a significant amplifying effect upon the building. The vibration level increases with the height of the building, along the horizontal direction, but the vertical vibration level changes negligibly. The insight exhibits the influence level of the horizontal action of the Metro train wheels to the tracks, which can be referred by the practitioners for the planning and operation.