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Dynamic behavior of a new type of track using the polyurethane foam solidified ballast in heavy haul railway tunnels is comprehensively investigated in this study. First, a dynamic model of the vehicle–track–tunnel interaction system was developed based on the multi-body system dynamics theory and finite element method. Then, the dynamic effects of the polyurethane foam solidified ballast track on the train and the surrounding infrastructures were calculated and compared to those of the traditional ballasted track. Moreover, the effects of the elastic modulus and the solidified area size of polyurethane foam solidified ballast on the dynamic behavior were analyzed. Results show that, compared to the traditional ballast bed, polyurethane foam solidified ballast decreases the track stiffness and the vibration acceleration of the tunnel, while does not affect the vehicle safety (derailment coefficient and the rate of wheel load reduction). A larger elastic modulus of polyurethane foam solidified ballast has little effects on the wheel–rail interaction and the vibration acceleration of the tunnel, while a smaller modulus results in amplification of the displacements of rails and sleepers. Considering the vehicle–track interaction and tunnel vibration, the optimal elastic modulus of polyurethane foam solidified ballast is suggested to be 60–80 MPa. In addition, smaller solidified area of polyurethane foam solidified ballast presents lower effects on the vibration reduction and rate of wheel load reduction, while larger area leads to a higher derailment coefficient and cost. Therefore, an optimal solidified area size of polyurethane foam solidified ballast with the top width of 0.85 m is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach to reduce vibration was put forward by applying rubber concrete as backfill layer of the high-speed railway tunnel, and its feasibility was analyzed based on the vibration isolation theory. A three-dimensional spatial coupling model of vehicle-track-tunnel-rock mass was established by means of vehicle-track coupling dynamics theory. The dynamic response of the vehicle, track, and tunnel structure under common and rubber concrete backfill layer was compared. The vibration reduction performance and the characteristics of rubber concrete were discussed. The change in tunnel vibration under different elastic modulus and damping ratios of backfill layer was analyzed, and the vibration reduction effect of rubber concrete combined with damping cushion was studied. Results show that the influence of the rubber concrete backfill layer on the dynamic indices of vehicle and track structure can be neglected. Because of the application of rubber concrete, the vibration acceleration of tunnel decreases by about 40%, and 4–8 dB can be reduced in the corresponding frequency of 100–200 Hz. With decrease in the elastic modulus and increase in the damping ratio, the vibration of the tunnel decreases gradually. Moreover, the influence of damping ratio is more significant than that of elastic modulus. The combination of rubber concrete backfill layer and damping cushion demonstrates a superior effect in reducing vibration, which decreases the vibration level by 3–5 dB compared with setting the damping cushion only. The article is expected to provide theoretical guidance for the application of rubber concrete in the high-speed railway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rail damping is an active and effective control method for mitigating railway vibration and noise at the source. In order to investigate the applicability of rail damping to high-speed railway, a vehicle-ballastless slab track-bridge coupling dynamic model was established and the vibration reduction effect of rail damping at bridge mid-span, bridge pier and beam gap under a high-speed vehicle moving load was analyzed. The results show that: the max vibration acceleration of ballastless track and bridge with rail damping are obviously decreased, and the duration time of structure vibration is also shortened. The vibration reduction effect of rail damping at bridge mid-span is more significant than that at bridge pier. In the working frequency range of rail damping, the acceleration vibration level of the rail can be reduced by 2-5dB, and the vibration of ballastless track slab and bridge also can be decreased in middle and high frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]