Dynamic response of a train-bridge system under collision loads and running safety evaluation of high-speed trains

Based on the authors' previous work, an extended study of the train-bridge system under collision loads is presented. A continuous bridge with box girders is considered as a case study. The dynamic responses of the bridge and the running safety indices of the train on the bridge under three types of collision loads are analyzed. Large responses of the bridge induced by collision strongly threaten the running safety of trains. An assessment procedure is proposed for the running safety of high-speed trains on bridges subjected to collision loads, and related threshold curves for train speed versus collision intensity are defined. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.