Vibration mitigation performance of embankments and cuttings in transversely isotropic ground under high-speed train loading

Abstract

Abstract A 2.5D finite element (FE) model was established to study the ground vibrations generated by high-speed trains (HSTs) moving on transversely isotropic (TI) ground with different earthwork profiles, i.e., embankment and cutting. The Fourier transform is applied with respect to time to express the dynamic motions of TI ground in frequency domain, and then its governing equation in 2.5D FE form is deduced by applying wavenumber expansion in the load moving direction. Correctness of the established model is validated with published data. Results show that the railway embankment and cutting could significantly mitigate the vertical ground displacements, and such effect on vibration isolation improves with the increase of embankment height or cutting depth. Vibration mitigation performance by increasing embankment height is much better than improving embankment elastic modulus. In addition, on the premise that the cutting slope did not lose its stability, lager inclined angle would lead to better vibration reduction effect.