Controlling bridge vibrations using a viscoelastic waveguide absorber

Abstract

The study aims to mitigate the impact of structure-borne noise from existing elevated railway bridges on residents living along the line. In the study, a viscoelastic waveguide absorber mounted on a track slab was proposed based on waveguide vibration absorption techniques by proceeding from the vibration transmitting path and using the track slab as the carrier. First, a dynamic model for the slab-mounted viscoelastic waveguide absorber was constructed, in which a vibration equation was derived and an energy consumption mechanism was obtained. Then, a Chinese railway track style II (CRTS II) ballastless track slab most widely used in Chinese elevated railways was modelled as the primary vibration system, on which an experimental modal analysis was performed. Additionally, a parameterized analysis was performed on the dynamic performance of the slab-mounted viscoelastic waveguide absorber based on the vibration absorption and energy consumption mechanism of the absorber to determine the optimum parameter configuration for the dissipater. Furthermore, the most suitable installation positions for the energy waveguide links were defined using a response surface method. Finally, a bridge vibration response control effectiveness under train loads was also investigated, and it indicated that the waveguide absorbers had a favourable effect in reducing the vibration and structure-borne noise from the elevated railway bridge.