Prediction and Experimental Analysis of the Effectiveness of Vibration-Isolating Tramway

Abstract

In Krakow during last time, it is seen the development of tram and bus infrastructure. This is to improve the mobility of the residents as well as the comfort of using the means of mass communication. Besides this, the municipal authorities do not neglect the development works relating to the future construction of the metro. New network of tramways and roads are planned, designed and built. Many exploited for years’ tramway tracks and the road is repaired due to their poor technical condition. Insufficient technical condition of the existing tramway tracks and streets makes it necessary to repair them. The work concerns the influence of vibration induced by traffic crossing trams in one of the main streets of Krakow on people staying in buildings and passively receiving these vibrations. The study was carried out in three stages. In the first stage, before the renovation of the tramway, the measurements of vibration were done in a number of selected residential buildings with various constructions. The recorded vibrations were analyzed according to the procedure given in ISO 2631-2 due to human exposure. In a second step numerical analyzes were performed using the database of registered communication vibrations and dynamic models of buildings. The results of calculations were used for selection of the appropriate parameters (thickness, stiffness) of vibration isolation of the analyzed tramway due to the comfort of the people staying in buildings. In a third step, the checking measurements were carried out in the same places as in the first stage and from the same types of trams. Re-analyzes were made for assessing the impact of vibration on people. Comparative analysis has shown that applied vibration insulation met expectations and helped to reduce the level of vibration felt by the people.