Experimental study on ground vibration attenuation induced by heavy freight wagons on a railway viaduct

Studies on ground vibration induced by railway operation usually focused on wagons running on ground or abutments, while vibration from a railway viaduct is often assumed to be much lower. Based on field test in the vicinity of a heavy freight railway viaduct above Shenshan Village, China, the attenuation of ground vibration induced by heavy freight wagons for coal transportation is studied. And evaluation is conducted on an adjacent house to access vibration disturbance to residents near a viaduct. Propagation and attenuation of vibration induced from viaduct are studied by analyzing peak particle velocity and spectra of ground and house vibration in the vicinity of the viaduct. Vibration signals were collected for 34 trains with different train speed and wagon weight. In all monitored situations, vertical vibration is generally larger than horizontal vibration. The relationship between distance to pier and PPV is revealed by a power function modified from Sadovskii formula with high correlation factor. Analysis also indicates a much lower dominant frequency induced by low-speed trains with or without acceleration than normal speed trains. A dramatic amplitude reduction is shown within frequency between 25 Hz and 35 Hz when train speed is reduced. Empty wagons also show smaller amplitude in most frequency bands, with significant difference in 15–25 Hz. Analysis on the house also shows larger vibration in vertical than horizontal, and vibration amplitude in some frequency bands has exceeded relative criteria. Analysis result shows significant ground and house vibration effect form a viaduct, and piers should be considered as vibration sources for ground and houses in future studies.