Theoretical and experimental study on vibration reduction and frequency tuning of a new damped-sleeper track

In urban rail transit, it is important to reduce the train-induced vibration on ambient environment. To achieve this goal, a new elastic side-supporting long sleeper damping track (ESSDT) is proposed in this study. Besides, a novel vibration reduction and frequency modulation device (VRFMD) is also proposed to improve the vibration damping performance as well as structural stability of ESSDT. Based on the vehicle-track coupled dynamics model and the finite element model of ESSDT, dynamic characteristics of ESSDT are investigated theoretically. The influence of key dynamic parameters of VRFMD on the damping effect and stability of the track system are studied in detail. Further, a hammer test was conducted on a full-scale test rig of ESSDT with VRFMD. Test results validate the theoretical research results, which proves that both the vibration of track and the vibration transmitted to the foundation can be attenuated effectively due to the installation of VRFMD. The results show that the spring stiffness of VRFMD has great influence on the dynamic response to ESSDT. The natural frequency of ESSDT could be adjusted by modifying the parameters of VRFMD, which may provide a new approach to avoid wheel-rail contact resonance. Moreover, VRFMD may also be introduced to other types of track for the purpose of vibration reduction and frequency adjustment, such as floating slab track and ladder sleeper track.

Automated summary

In this study, a new elastic side-supporting long sleeper damping track (ESSDT) is proposed, along with a novel vibration reduction and frequency modulation device (VRFMD), to improve the vibration damping performance and structural stability of the track system. The results show that by modifying the parameters of the VRFMD, the vibration of the track and the transmission of vibration to the foundation can be effectively reduced, and the natural frequency of the track can be adjusted to avoid wheel-rail contact resonance.