Numerical modelling of vibrations from a thalys high speed train in the groene hart tunnel

Abstract eng:
This paper presents a numerical study of vibrations due to a Thalys high speed train in the Groene Hart tunnel. The Groene Hart tunnel is part of the high speed link South between Amsterdam and Antwerp and is the world’s largest bored tunnel with an external diameter of 14 m. A coupled periodic finite element-boundary element model is used to predict the free field response due to the passage of a Thalys high speed train in the Groene Hart tunnel. A subdomain formulation is used, where the track and the tunnel are modelled using a finite element method, while the soil is modelled as a layered half space using a boundary element method. The tunnel and the soil are assumed to be invariant in the longitudinal direction, but modelled as a periodic structure using the Floquet transformation. A general analytical formulation to compute the response of three-dimensional periodic media excited by moving loads is adopted. The Groene Hart area is marshy and therefore completely saturated. The top soil consists of layers of peat and clay which have a very low density and shear wave velocity. The numerical model allows to understand the effect of these soft layers on vibration levels, resulting in an amplification of the horizontal response and a large contribution of the quasi-static forces at high train speeds. Vibration levels are assessed using the Dutch SBR guidelines and the possibility of annoyance to people in the Groene Hart area is investigated. It is concluded from the study that the operation of high speed railway traffic in the Groene Hart tunnel is not expected to cause serious vibration problems. This study prospers a better understanding in the generation and propagation of vibrations due to a passage of a high speed train in a tunnel and demonstrates the use of advanced numerical models for analyzing complex engineering problems.

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