In Situ Test and Analysis on Ground Vibration and Noise Induced by Tram Passing Small-Radius Curve Track

Abstract

In order to explore the characteristics of ground vibration and noise due to tram operation, a small-radius curve section of a trial operation tram line in a city is selected as the test object, as well as a straight-line section. During the in situ test, the same tram is used to run repeatedly at different speeds, and the measured data of ground vibration and noises inside and outside the tram are obtained. The test results show that: (1) The ground vibration acceleration in the small-radius curve section is mainly concentrated between 80 and 400 Hz, and the noise is mainly between 1000 and 8000 Hz, which are both greater than those in the straight-line section. The noise inside the tram is slightly greater than that outside in the frequency band below 630 Hz in the small-radius curve section; but they exchange when it above 630 Hz. In the straight section, the noises inside and outside the tram are basically same. (2) With the increase of the train speed, there is no significant difference in ground vibration below 100 Hz, but above 100 Hz, the maximum vibration difference is between 5 and 8 dB. The maximum increase of noises inside and outside the tram is, respectively, about 6 and 2 dB(A). (3) The ground vibration acceleration level outside the curve is larger than that inside, and the maximum difference is about 15 dB, meanwhile, the noise inside the small-radius curve is greater than that outside, and the maximum difference is about 6 dB(A).