Analytical Study of High Speed Rail Bridge and Pile Foundation Subjected to Soil Structure Interaction Using Finite Element Software

Abstract

High Speed Rail (HSR) was introduced in India in response to rising transport demand and reduced journey times. Pile foundation-supported piers are often used for elevated high-speed railways. The box-girder bridge and pile foundation embedded in multilayered soil have been analyzed for various critical conditions, viz. static condition, sudden brake conditions, derailment of train, and moving condition of train. In this type of complex problem, a theoretical approach to analyzing the pile foundation was insufficient. Thus, the Finite Element Method (FEM) based software, STAAD Pro. and PLAXIS 2D has been used. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the pile foundation under different conditions. Live loads on bridges are considered in Eurocode-1: Part 2. To perform the dynamic analysis, a 16 Hz frequency has been considered at a maximum 360 km/hr train speed. The results show that the moving condition and vibration effect increase the nodal displacement and in the case of derailment and sudden brake conditions, lateral load and moment have been increased, which changes the behavior of the pile foundation. According to IS 1343 code, a structure is safe as nodal displacement is within allowed limits in all cases. The combined effect of moving trains and vibrations increases nodal displacement by 10% when compared to the static condition. Hence, dynamic analysis is required. The lateral deflection of the pile increases in the case of sudden brake and derailment cases.