Computational Modeling of Rail-Induced Vibrations: A Predictive Framework for Building Response

Railways play a crucial role in transportation, facilitating the efficient movement of goods and passengers over long distances. However, the vibrations generated by passing trains can pose significant challenges to nearby residential communities and buildings. These vibrations primarily lead to occupant discomfort, disrupting daily life and potentially impacting health and well-being. Over time, prolonged exposure to such disturbances may contribute to structural fatigue, making developing predictive models that assess and mitigate these effects essential. A predictive modeling approach has been developed to estimate railway-induced vibrations and their impact on surrounding structures to address this issue. This model operates under the principles of modal superposition, where a modal analysis is performed to determine the system’s dynamic behavior. The rail motion is then solved using multibody dynamics, effectively coupling finite element analysis with multibody system simulations. This approach offers significant advantages over traditional computational techniques by enhancing computational efficiency while maintaining accuracy in capturing the complex interactions between train dynamics and structural response. Such a model could be instrumental for evaluating and mitigating railway-induced vibrations. It could provide insights into how tracks’ modifications influence vibrational impacts, helping to develop effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, this model could serve as a foundation for optimizing infrastructure layouts & improving building designs near railway corridors