Munemasa Tokunaga

Seismic Train-Running Safety on Structures

In this study, using the analysis program DIASTARS III that is able to take into account the dynamic interaction between railway vehicles and railway structures, we conducted seismic train-running analysis on a model line that is about 4.8 km long. And we identified the relative weak structures of seismic train-running safety in the model line.

Effect of Dynamic Interaction between Railway Vehicle and Structure on Seismic Response of Structure

The conventional seismic standard specifies that the seismic inertia force of trains is modelled as the rigid mass which has the upper limit force of 30% of the train weight on insufficient grounds. However, train actions on railway structures during earthquakes have not been identified, although actual train vehicles are the complicated vibration system. The object of this paper is to quantify dynamic interactions between train vehicles and structures during earthquakes, and to develop a reasonable train action model. Numerical simulations clarified that the dynamic interaction consisting on the creep force and the contact force between wheels and rails changes depending on response level. Additionally, the displacement response of heavy structures, such as RC structures can be evaluated without considering the effect of the dynamic interaction, and that of light structures, such as steel bridges of open floor type, should be evaluated with considering the effect of the dynamic interaction.