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Coupled Analytical—Numerical Modeling of Ground Vibrations Generated from Moving Trains in Circular Shaped Tunnel Embedded in Soil

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Abstract

In metropolitan cities, underground railway lines of Mass Rapid Transit Systems are the lifeline to the daily commuters. However, these underground lines cause vibrations while trains move. This ground-borne vibrations may cause damage to heritage buildings and façade elements. Humans can feel this vibration, and the comfort of people living nearby is compromised if vibrations cross threshold limit. In the current study, a two-stage coupled analysis is conducted to assess ground-borne vibrations in the free field generated by moving trains in a circular shaped tunnel. Two sub-models are generated—(a) train-track sub-model and (b) tunnel-soil coupling sub-model. The preceding model is a closed-form analytical solution which calculates the quasi-static effect of dynamic interactions between the train wheel and the railway track. The follower model is a 2D FE model to calculate the transfer of dynamic forces from track-tunnel interface to the ground surface through the soil medium. It is found that the computed results fairly match with experimental results for both amplitude and frequency content of the vibration. It is observed that ground vibrations reduce with distance from tunnel and any structure or residents staying beyond 30 m distance would not be affected by vibration as only 25% of vibration is present at this distance. The vibration is found to increase with velocity of train and at soft ground conditions to limit vibration, the velocity of train can be restricted. It is found that the frequency content of vibration is in interference range of human life and critical zone of frequency of structures. Therefore, careful assessment of vibration is required during finalization of the metro project particularly if the ground has shear wave velocity of less than 400 m/s.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India

    Arnab Sur, Bappaditya Manna & J. T. Shahu

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  1. Arnab Sur
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  2. Bappaditya Manna
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  3. J. T. Shahu
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Sur, A., Manna, B. & Shahu, J.T. Coupled Analytical—Numerical Modeling of Ground Vibrations Generated from Moving Trains in Circular Shaped Tunnel Embedded in Soil. Indian Geotech J (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-024-00961-2

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