High-speed Railway Research Articles

Non-linear critical speed in high-speed ballasted railways with ground reinforcement

When constructing or upgrading high-speed railway lines on soft soils, reinforcing the soil foundation becomes crucial. This not only involves small track displacements but also increases the critical speed, thereby ensuring safe and efficient regular operations. Nevertheless, existing studies on the critical speed phenomenon in high-speed railway tracks with ground reinforcement are limited, and they all assume a linear elastic behavior for both the soils and reinforcement materials. The main novelty of this research is that it presents the first study on the effect of non-linear soil behavior on the critical speed of high-speed railway ballasted tracks with soil reinforcement and introduces a novel simplified approach based on an equivalent homogeneous soil layer by replacing the soil layer containing inclusions/columns. To accomplish this, a full 3D non-linear numerical model was developed and experimentally validated. The findings from a detailed and comprehensive parametric analysis demonstrate a significant influence of non-linear behavior on the critical speed, resulting in reductions of up to 30% compared to the linear elastic scenario. Furthermore, it is found that the soil-reinforcement stiffness contrast, the area replacement ratio, and the plasticity index of the soil foundation play a crucial role in the critical speed. Other aspects such as the installation pattern and the thickness of soft soil have a relatively lower impact on the critical speed.

Research on wavelet packet energy entropy extraction method for acoustic signal of tunnel lining cavity

Abstract Tunnel lining cavity is a common disease in high-speed railway tunnels, which seriously affects the safe operation of the line.At present, the commonly used method is manual knocking inspection, but it relies on manual judgment, subjective factors have great influence, and there are errors. This paper proposes a feature extraction method of acoustic vibration signal of tunnel lining cavity based on wavelet packet energy entropy and uses wavelet packet energy entropy to realize the identification of cavity defects.The full-scale simulation model of tunnel with a radius of 6m was constructed by COMSOL and different cavity conditions were set up. The wavelet packet energy entropy characteristics of acoustic signals were extracted and analyzed. The mapping relationship between cavity depth and cavity size and wavelet packet energy entropy was explored. The wavelet packet energy entropy and frequency band distribution characteristics were extracted to realize the identification of cavity defects.The local model which can characterize the whole tunnel is designed and the embedded defects are verified by experiments. The results show that the wavelet packet energy entropy can be used as the identification feature of tunnel lining cavity defects. When the wavelet packet energy entropy is less than 2.53, the existence of tunnel lining cavity defects is characterized.When the wavelet packet energy entropy is in the range of 2.53-2.94, it characterizes the existence of the transition boundary between tunnel lining cavity defect and no disease.This index can be used to realize the rapid and effective identification of cavity defects.

Prediction of icicles on lining surface in high-speed railway tunnel in severe cold region based on the characteristics of daily temperature fluctuation

：Icicles in high-speed railway tunnels in cold regions pose a serious threat to operational safety. Tunnels with long lengths and large sizes require manual inspection, generating considerable work and expense for operation management. To reduce the workload of icicle inspection and guide manual deicing, a growth and development model of tunnel icicles was developed based on a tunnel icicle simulation system, and a tunnel lining icicle prediction and warning system was established, that provides guidance for deicing by predicting the range and development degree of tunnel icicles. The icicle simulation test shows that there is an obvious division of icing and non-icing area in the tunnel, and the boundary of the division is −5 °C. There is an optimum temperature range for the growth and development of icicle in tunnels. Under daily temperature fluctuations, the icicles grow back after being removed. A model for degree of icicle development was established. The degree of icicle development is affected by leakage flow, daily fluctuation amplitude of temperature, and daily average temperature. The smaller the daily temperature fluctuation and the closer the daily average temperature to the optimum temperature for icicle growth, the better the development of icicle. Based on the icicle development model, a prediction and warning method for icicles in tunnel was developed. Based on the network of instruments measuring and reporting temperature, the real-time temperature distribution of the tunnel was obtained, combined with the leakage distribution and volume in the tunnel, the icicles section and the icicles severity of the tunnel were obtained by analyzing the icicle growth model embedded in the system, providing guidance for the inspection of icicles in the tunnel. A comparison shows that the icicle prediction and warning system can reduce the walking inspection workloads by half.

Optimization of resource allocation strategy for high-speed railway based on deep reinforcement learning

With the accelerated development of high-speed railway (HSR), the contradiction between the surge of user services and the demand for resource has become increasingly prominent. Mobile edge computing (MEC) has emerged to improve performance, reduce communication delay and ease network load. In this paper, we design a multi-user MEC system framework that aims to solve the joint optimization problem of computation offloading and resource allocation in HSR communication scenario with deep reinforcement learning algorithm. The framework dynamically allocates computation resource and network bandwidth through the real-time distance between users and base station (BS) to achieve optimal resource utilization and maximize user experience. To achieve this goal, we use a deep reinforcement learning based dynamic computation offloading and resource allocation (DDCORA) optimization algorithm. The algorithm minimizes the system cost by sharing state information among different users and making collaborative decisions to rationally allocate spectrum resource and computation resource. Simulation results show that DDCORA algorithm can significantly decrease the system cost while enhancing the overall system performance and user experience.

Measuring Reliable Accessibility to High-Speed Railway Stations by Integrating the Utility-Based Model and Multimodal Space–Time Prism under Travel Time Uncertainty

Measuring Reliable Accessibility to High-Speed Railway Stations by Integrating the Utility-Based Model and Multimodal Space–Time Prism under Travel Time Uncertainty

Key components identification of EMU complex system faults with interval intuitionistic fuzzy set and multi-attribute group decision-making based on FMECA method

With the continuous acceleration of high-speed railway, the high-voltage traction system of the EMU is an important part for ensuring the operation speed and safety. If the failure does not discontinued effectively, it will cause major dangerous accidents, so the key components identification of system is crucial. This paper focus on the contradictions of the expert evaluation information ambiguity, the difference of expert risk appetite and the rationality of risk priority number (RPN) calculation method in the traditional failure analysis method FMECA. The interval intuitionistic fuzzy set (IIFS) is introduced to transform the expert evaluation into the form of membership interval and non-membership interval, which reduced the ambiguity of the specific numerical score. The interval intuitive fuzzy entropy was used to determine the entropy values of the occurrence (O), severity (S), and undetectable degree (D) of each failure mode under each expert score, which was used to calculate the weight value [Formula: see text], to weaken the influence caused by subjective risk preference. The interval intuition fuzzy ensemble operator (AIVIFWM) is used to assemble a single scoring matrix into a comprehensive score, which weakens the subjective influence of expert evaluation. Combined with the multi-attribute group decision-making idea, the score function [Formula: see text] is calculated for each comprehensive evaluation interval of each failure mode after assembly, so as to sort the failure mode risk and finally identify the key components. Based on the fault data of the high-voltage traction system of a certain type of EMU in 2022, 39 failure modes of 30 components are researched and summarized. The results show that rectifier, converter cooling unit, and carbon skateboard are the key components of EMU high-voltage traction system, which provided basic support for the detection and maintenance decision.

Synergistic stabilization of red-bedded mudstone with microbial-geopolymer: An experimental study

To enhance the stabilization effect of microorganisms and metakaolin on red-bedded mudstone filler, an innovative approach was introduced by implementing a synergistic stabilization technology combining microorganisms and geopolymers. The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated using physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties. Under the synergistic stabilization effect of microbial-geopolymer, the presence of cementitious materials increased by 60.80 percent, and longitudinal velocity increased by 6.63 %. furthermore, the surface porosity decreased by 20.52–23.49 %, the unconfined compressive strength increased by 250.00 % (i.e., 1.26 MPa), and the level of disintegration improved from Garde I (strong) to Grade Ⅳ (no disintegration). The synergistic effect of microorganisms and geopolymer ultimately formed a composite cementing structure of calcium carbonate, hydration products, and polymers, effectively enhancing the density and bonding strength between soil particles. The findings of this paper can guide the stabilization of red-bedded mudstone filler in high-speed railway foundation construction.

Study on train safety control of high-speed railway bridge under the action of near-fault earthquake

In order to study the effect of the velocity pulse on the dynamic response of the train-bridge system of the high-speed railway simple supported beam bridge, the velocity pulse is simulated by the trigonometric function method and superimposed with the far-field earthquake without pulse to synthesize the pulse with different pulse types, pulse periods and pulse peaks. A 10×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document}32m typical high-speed railway simple supported beam bridge is considered an case illustrating study. Then, the dynamic response of train-track-bridge coupling system is calculated by train-track-bridge seismic analysis software TTBSAS. Afterwards, the influence of pulse near-field earthquakes parameters and vertical components on dynamic response of train-bridge system and the safety of the train on the bridge are discussed in detail.The new derailment evaluation index is adopted to evaluate driving safety under earthquakes. The train safety control of simply supported beam bridge under the action of near-field earthquake is studied. The results show that the impact of pulse ground motion on the dynamic response of the train-track-bridge coupling system is significantly higher than that of no-pulse ground motion, especially the impact on the bridge and rail subsystem is more significant than that of train subsystem. Under the excitation of ground motion intensity of 0.05g∼\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim$$\\end{document}0.15g, the safe speed threshold of pulse near-field ground motion is smaller than that of far-field ground motion. When the ground motion intensity is 0.20g∼\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim$$\\end{document}0.30g, the safe speed threshold of pulse near-field ground motion and far field ground motion is 200km/h. So, the pulse near-field earthquake poses a greater threat to the safety of the train on the bridge than the far-field earthquake. Therefore, the influence of pulse near-field earthquakes should be considered in the seismic design. The research results of this paper can provide theoretitcal support for the design of a high-speed railway bridge in the near-field area.

An improved model for the nonlinear simulation of the high‐speed vehicle‐track‐bridge coupling system under seismic shaking

AbstractWith the continuous development of high‐speed railway (HSR) construction technology, many HSR bridges are close to near‐fault earthquake zones. Due to the short warning time for earthquakes occurring in these areas, the scene of trains running on the HSR bridges under earthquakes will become more and more common. In order to effectively evaluate the train running safety performance on the HSR bridge under earthquakes, an improved model for the nonlinear simulation of the high‐speed vehicle‐track‐bridge (VTB) coupling system under seismic shaking is proposed. The commercial finite element software was utilized for the general modeling of track‐bridge structure, and nonlinear hysteric behaviors of key components were realized by using the local nonlinearity correction method. By adopting the unconditional stable explicit dynamic integration algorithm and an efficient wheel–rail contact model, an explicit dynamic solution framework is established. It can efficiently solve the nonlinear coupled vibration of the VTB system under earthquakes. Finally, based on the improved model developed in this paper, the influence of hysteretic behaviors of bridge bearings on the nonlinear coupling vibration of the VTB system under near‐fault earthquakes is discussed.

Design of PID control model for reducer based on Simulink simulation

At present, modern industry is developing rapidly, and the level of industrial automation is gradually improving. Many production lines use a large number of mechanical equipment and robots, and reducers play a key role in these equipment, helping to control and adjust the speed and torque of various moving parts, achieving efficient production. At the same time, in high-speed railway trains and airplanes, reducers improve the efficiency of engines and turbines, reduce fuel consumption, and ensure safe and reliable operation. However, traditional reducers have drawbacks such as low accuracy and long adjustment time in controlling speed. This article adopts the method of PID control of the reducer, and uses the Simulink platform of Matlab to build a control model of the reducer. At the same time, negative feedback control is applied to the speed and current, forming two PID closed-loop controls: current loop and speed loop. The speed waveform and current waveform are displayed on an oscilloscope, and the simulation control results are analyzed. The simulation results show that by using a PID controller to control the speed of the reducer, the maximum overshoot can be reduced, the adjustment time can be shortened, the adjustment process can be smoother, and the set value can be reached quickly.

Integrated optimization of train line planning and timetabling: a new method of changing train operation zone and direct-service of cross-line ODs

ABSTRACT Cross-line operation increases accessibility to the railway network. However, its long-distance operation is quite difficult due to the transport resource limitations. To provide good transportation plans for operators and more direct services for cross-line passengers, we propose a new method of changing operation zones of cross-line trains, which can be summarized as the integrated train line planning and timetabling problem. A model is established to minimize deviation of same-line trains from ideal timetables and maximize cross-line origin-destination direct services. A Lagrangian relaxation approach and an improved priority-rule heuristic algorithm are developed to solve large-scale problems and obtain feasible solutions. Reality-based instances are conducted on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway and its connecting lines to verify the performance of the model and solution approach. The results show the benefit of changing train operation zones, and the model and approach can help to generate a good balance between operating profit and passenger demand.

Combined demographic, ecological and genetic tools reveal connectivity within a fragmented butterfly population

Protected species require targeted studies to establish population sizes, their dispersal capacity and the possible genetic bottleneck effect that could impair the future of the remaining populations. In this study, we used the genotyping-by-sequencing technique (SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism) combined with Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) method to measure the dispersal ability and subpopulation sizes of the protected butterfly Zerynthia polyxena in 14 sites of NW Italian Alps. The study species form a metapopulation divided into several small subpopulations (ranging from 90 to 859 estimated subpopulation sizes). The species showed low mobility, likely due to habitat fragmentation, with individuals travelling an average of 80 m from their original capture site. SNPs highlighted high observed heterozygosity, low genetic substructuring at short distances, and large genetic differentiation only for individuals found in sites located at 46 km distance, suggesting high gene flow at short distances and limited gene flow between distant populations. Although CMR data did not detect movement beyond 700 m, the genetic results revealed remarkable connectivity among nearby subpopulations. The results indicate that gene flow still exists among the subpopulations despite the fragmented habitat. Considering that the species is locally threatened by habitat loss due to the planning of a European high-speed railway, our data suggest that it is not too late to adopt conservation measures. In conclusion, combining genetic and ecological studies can be utilised to design proper conservation plans for protected and threatened insect metapopulations.

Optimising Dual Pantograph-Catenary System Performance in Curved Sections for Enhanced High-Speed Railway Operations

Optimising Dual Pantograph-Catenary System Performance in Curved Sections for Enhanced High-Speed Railway Operations

Computational analysis of electromagnetic field exposure in passengers near high- current contact wire environments.

The electromagnetic environment of a railway station is composed of electrical, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields, which are generated by various sources such as traction current, voltage, pantograph-catenary arc, locomotive braking, wheel-rail rolling arc, and communication systems. However, there is public growing concern among the public about the potential negative human health effects of this electromagnetic environment. To analyze the distribution of electromagnetic fields in human tissues, electromagnetic simulation software is used to create a model that includes six track contact wires and four waiting passengers on three platforms. This model is used to analyze the magnetic field environment created by high currents in the contact wires of a multi-track high-speed railway station. By varying the loads on different contact wires, the distribution of electric field and magnetic flux density within human tissues of waiting passengers on different platforms is studied using this model. When the track is unoccupied, the calculation results show that the maximum values of the electric field and magnetic flux density of the passenger's human body tissue at the blind way on the platform and 1m of the blind way are 17.6mVm-1 and 52.7 μT, respectively. These values increase by 9.28mVm-1 and 16.4 μT compared to when the track is occupied. When more contact wires are loaded with currents, the electric field mode and magnetic flux density mode of human tissues increase at the same position on the platform. Specifically, when the contact wires of six tracks are loaded with current at the same time, the maximum values of the electric field mode and magnetic flux density mode of the waiting passengers' human tissues at the blind way on different platforms are 29.6mVm-1 and 88.1 μT, respectively. These maximum values are lower than the public electromagnetic exposure limits that are designated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines. The research results demonstrate that the magnetic field environment generated by the current in the contact wires of a railway station with six tracks does not pose a health risk to human tissues of passengers waiting at the blind way and 1m of the blind way on the platform. These findings can provide valuable data reference for the formulation of relevant standards for the design of electrified rail transit, as well as the suppression of electromagnetic interference and protection of human bioelectromagnetism.

Dynamic Response Characteristics of Foundation of Mined-out Areas under High-speed Railway Load

To reveal the dynamic response characteristics of the foundation of mined-out areas (MOA) under the high-speed railway (HSR) load is important for predicting settlement and safety assessment of the foundation. Taking MOA of Dianshang under the Taiyuan-Jiaozuo HSR as the engineering background, the model experiments and numerical analysis were employed to reveal the dynamic response of both subgrade and the foundation of the HSR, as well as the attenuation law of the acceleration in the overlying strata of the MOA. Results show that within the full frequency range of the HSR load, the dynamic response of the foundation increases with the increase in load frequency. When the depth exceeds 6 m, the dynamic response of the foundation initially increases and subsequently decreases with the increase in load frequency. Contrasted with single-point loading, the superposition effect and moving effect of the HSR load will form a dynamic response superposition zone within 1-4 m below the subgrade, leading to a significant enhancement of the dynamic response of the foundation. Compared to HSR axle load, the driving speed of HSR has a greater impact on the acceleration of both the subgrade and foundation. The obtained conclusions provide a reference for the safety operation of the HSR crossing the MOA

Research on the Protection Scheme of a High-Speed Railway Crossing 1000 KV Ultra-High Voltage Transmission Line

The high-speed railway project and the ultra-high-voltage transmission project represent two crucial components of China’s “new infrastructure”. As the construction of these two projects progresses rapidly, it is inevitable that instances of intersections will occur. Extreme conditions may cause damage to ultra-high voltage transmission cables. When a high-speed train passes by an ultra-high voltage transmission line, it poses a serious safety hazard. To address this issue, engineering examples were utilized to examine the protection structure scheme, protection distance, protection load, and construction procedures when a high-speed railway intersects a 1000 KV ultra-high voltage transmission line. A shed structure form and construction method for the electric power protection were proposed to ensure the safe operation of the high-speed railway while also achieving the safe and rapid construction of the high-speed railway protection structure in the safety zone of the approaching 1000 kV ultra-high voltage transmission line. The results indicated that the protection of high-speed railway crossings and 1000 kV ultra-high voltage transmission lines primarily focuses on line-break protection. The concrete shed structure with a straight wall and a flat roof was designed to meet the requirements of high-speed railway crossings. The line-break protection method enables the construction of an automatic warning protection corridor and a complete movable trolley quickly and safely within the safety zone near the transmission line. The implementation effect is, therefore, positive. It can be used as a reference point for other projects of a similar nature.

High-Speed Railway Project of a Chinese State-Owned Enterprise in Indonesia: A Cross-Cultural Management Assessment

This study examined cross-cultural management in a diverse organization. Employees (varying in age, sex, background, etc.) disagreed on the company's cultural competence, particularly in communication, trust, and leadership. Further analysis revealed discrepancies in communication styles, values, business practices, and navigating regulations. Interestingly, age seemed to influence how employees viewed these issues. While cultural intelligence, communication, and open-mindedness on their own didn't necessarily improve specific areas, a more positive and collaborative work environment with increased trust did bridge cultural divides. Based on these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive Cross-Cultural Management Plan including diversity training, improved communication initiatives, leadership development focused on inclusivity, and activities fostering a positive workplace culture. This plan aims to address the identified challenges and create a more inclusive and successful organization.

Noise reduction mechanism of high-speed railway box-girder bridges installed with MTMDs on top plate

The issue of low-frequency structural noise radiated from high-speed railway (HSR) box-girder bridges (BGBs) is a significant challenge worldwide. Although it is known that vibrations in BGBs caused by moving trains can be reduced by installing multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMDs) on the top plate, there is limited research on the noise reduction achieved by this method. This study aims to investigate the noise reduction mechanism of BGBs installed with MTMDs on the top plate. A sound radiation prediction model for the BGB installed with MTMDs is developed, based on the vehicle–track–bridge coupled dynamics and acoustics boundary element method. After being verified by field tested results, the prediction model is employed to study the reduction of vibration and noise of BGBs caused by the MTMDs. It is found that installing MTMDs on top plate can significantly affect the vibration distribution and sound radiation law of BGBs. However, its impact on the sound radiation caused by vibrations dominated by the global modes of BGBs is minimal. The noise reduction achieved by MTMDs is mainly through changing the acoustic radiation contributions of each plate of the bridge. In the lower frequency range, the noise reduction of BGB caused by MTMDs can be more effective if the installation of MTMDs can modify the vibration frequency and distribution of the BGB to avoid the influence of small vibrations and disperse the sound radiation from each plate.

Fatigue life prediction for high-speed railway bridges by reconstructing monitoring-based dynamic stress

Abstract Bridge responses that are excited by high-speed trains have the characteristics of high amplitude, high cycle, and large dynamic effects, which greatly affect the fatigue bearing capacity of affected bridges. To achieve reliable analysis of the fatigue performance of high-speed railway bridges, this study developed a bridge fatigue life prediction method based on the reconstruction of the train-induced dynamic stress time history. First, the equations for solving the static stress time history under influence line virtual loading are derived, and then the dynamic stress time history reconstruction method based on two types of dynamic correction factors is proposed. The statistical characteristics of the train loads and dynamic correction factors are fit according to monitoring data, and bridge fatigue life prediction is realized by use of the reliability theory. Finally, the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by using a train-bridge interaction model and monitoring data from a long-span high-speed railway bridge. The results show that the proposed method can greatly improve the accuracy of fatigue performance analysis and can effectively predict the fatigue life of high-speed railway bridges under complex loads. These results can provide an important reference for fatigue evaluation of high-speed railway bridges.

Effects of high-speed rail illumination on traffic safety at night in a road-cum-railway section – Implications for the infrastructure design

Intense light from trains can cause glare, affecting the driving safety of vehicles running in the opposite direction at road-cum-railway sections. This study, in particular, examines glare impacts caused by high-speed rail (HSR) illumination on highway traffic driving safety in a road-cum-railway bridge. Field surveys and tests are conducted on the illumination measurement for HSR, and disability and discomfort glare are investigated and quantified, with parameters being calibrated. A simulation-based platform is established and utilised to explore the impacts of HSR illumination on road traffic safety under different horizontal distances and traffic volumes. Different traffic safety risk indicators are utilised to evaluate traffic safety, including time-to-collision (TTC) and weight integrated risk level (WIRL). The results demonstrate that glare, especially disability glare, significantly increases traffic safety risks. The traffic safety of multi-axle vehicles are more negatively affected. The negative effect appears to strengthen with increasing traffic flows and decline with increasing horizontal distance between the high-speed railway and the highway. Anti-glare light barrier installation is an effective way to eliminate the negative effects and appropriate heights of anti-glare barriers are suggested for different horizontal distances.