New floating slab track isolator for vibration reduction using particle damping vibration absorption and bandgap vibration resistance

Abstract

• A new floating slab track vibration isolator is developed using particle damping vibration absorption and bandgap vibration resistance. • Using the low-frequency vibration reduction effect of non-obstructive particle damping (NOPD), the attenuation of resonance peaks in the begin of bandgap frequency range is realized. • A coupled train-floating slab track-bridge dynamic model is established to investigate the vibration isolation capability. The environmental vibrations caused by rail transit continue to increase in importance. Even though there are a variety of efficient vibration reduction measures, there is still room for further improvement by trying new, effective vibration control mechanisms. In this paper, a new floating slab track vibration isolator is developed using particle damping vibration absorption and bandgap vibration resistance. Using the low-frequency vibration reduction effect of non-obstructive particle damping (NOPD), the particulate material is added to the outer ring vibrator to participate in vibrations, and the attenuation of resonance peaks in the begin of bandgap frequency range is realized. The energy loss factor and damping ratio of particle damping for different particle sizes are analyzed using a discrete element model. A finite element model with integrated particle damping effect is also formulated and the bandgap behavior of phononic crystal vibration isolator (PCVI) with additional particle damping is analyzed. The effect of particle damping is assessed by calculating the force transmission spectrum. In order to the investigate vibration isolation performance of the combined NOPD-PCVI when subjected to excitation from trains running at different speeds, a coupled train-floating slab track-bridge dynamic model is established. The results show that the NOPD-PCVI offers better vibration isolation than a steel-spring vibration isolator and the traditional PCVI (T-PCVI) in the frequency band of 50–150 Hz. The energy dissipation provided by particle damping and the bandgap damping of phononic crystals reduce the vertical accelerations of the bridge deck in the bandgap frequency band. Specifically, the total vertical accelerations of the bridge deck equipped with NOPD-PCVIs is reduced by 15.3 dB compared to steel springs, and 5.6 dB compared to T-PCVIs, respectively.