Measurement of vibrations generated by high speed railway traffic and evaluation according to international norms

Abstract

High-speed trains are one of the most preferred ways of transportation. The fact that it is fast and safe, cost effective and not being effected by weather conditions provides many advantages for passengers but there are also many disadvantages for the buildings close to the train track and the people who reside in these buildings. In this study, a series of site tests were performed to obtain the acceleration recordings of the vibrations existing in free field of the soil and building foundation. The average shear wave velocity of soil was considered as 200m/s and the velocity of the high-speed train was taken as 250km/h. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the kinematic interaction between the free field motion and foundation vibration of the building while high-speed train passed. Furthermore, vibrations occurring under the current soil conditions of the study area were evaluated according to the key parameters defined in regulations of the Federal Transit Administration Report (FTA) and Human Exposure to Vibration in Buildings/Effects of Vibration on Structures (DIN 4150-2/3). It is seen that the compliance with the limit values specified in the regulations changes according to the purpose of use. The results showed that rigid foundations significantly modify the wave propagation and vibration level due to kinematic interaction effects.