Mitigating train-induced building vibrations with rubber bearings designed for horizontal earthquake isolation

Abstract

As rail transportation, including high-speed railways and urban metros, rapidly expands, its proximity to residential areas decreases, raising concerns about ground-borne vibrations. This study investigates the main characteristics of ground-borne vibrations induced by high-speed railways and metros through substructure method based on 2.5D FEM-MFS (finite element method-the method of fundamental solutions). Besides, the study also delves into the vertical vibration behaviors of buildings caused by train operations, evaluating the effect of laminated rubber bearings designed for horizontal seismic isolation on the train-induced building vibration mitigation. Our findings highlight that the broadband vibrations from train operations might coincide with the natural vibration frequencies of buildings, potentially leading to resonance. Implementing isolators allows the natural frequencies of the vibration modes with larger effective masses to be significantly lower than the dominant frequencies of train-induced ground-borne vibration, reducing the high-frequency responses. Additionally, the vibration mitigation enhances with the increase in the thickness of rubber layer. This research not only aims to reduce vibration levels in buildings adjacent to railways, enhancing the living conditions and health of residents but also underscores the engineering innovations necessary for sustainable urban development.