Induced vibrations due to high-speed trains: Córdoba-Málaga high speed line

Abstract

Numerical models to obtain ground vibrations induced by the passage of HST, based on finite element method and boundary element method, have been developed in the last years. A few models have been validated, comparing the results obtained from numerical models and those obtained from experimental measurements. Most of these models contain important simplifications, i.e; the ground geometry around the track is not considered or close structures can not be taken into account. Other models only produce the vertical displacements of the ground. In this paper, a three-dimensional BEM-FEM model based on time domain formulation to solve wave propagation problems is presented. The soil is assumed to be a uniform half-space with viscoelastic properties, and the structures can be represented by FE or BE. From the proposed numerical model, vibrations induced by the passage of HST have been obtained. The geometry and the properties of the ballast have been also considered. The numerical results obtained from the proposed model have been compared with in situ measurements performed during the passage of AVE high speed trains on the track between Córdoba-Málaga. The agreement between both sets of results is quite good.