A case study of excessive vibrations inside buildings due to an underground railway: Experimental tests and theoretical analysis

Excessive vibrations inside buildings in the Lihu New Village caused by the Shenzhen Metro Line 2 underground railway were investigated by conducting analyses of the tunnel, the track irregularities, the stiffness of the fastening system, and the vibrations of the track system and the building at different speeds. A numerical simulation based on the dynamic coupling theory of the vehicle-track system was used to verify the experimental results. Suitable countermeasures were investigated. The results show that rail corrugation is the primary reason for the excessive vibration, and an increase in the stiffness of the vertical fastening system is the secondary reason. The solution was to eliminate the rail corrugation using rail grinding and decrease the vertical stiffness by changing the fastening system. The results of this study provide references for solving vibration problems caused by rail lines.

Automated summary

This study investigates excessive vibrations inside buildings caused by the Shenzhen Metro Line 2 using analyses of the tunnel, track irregularities, stiffening systems, and vibrations at different speeds. The results show that rail corrugation is the primary reason for excessive vibration, and increasing the stiffness of the vertical fastening system is the secondary reason. Solutions involve eliminating rail corrugation through rail grinding and decreasing vertical stiffness by changing the fastening system.