Ground vibrations due to underground trains considering soil-tunnel interaction

Abstract

A brief review of the research works on ground vibrations caused by trains moving in underground tunnels is first given. Then, the finite/infinite element approach for simulating the soil-tunnel interaction system with semi-infinite domain is summarized. The tunnel is assumed to be embedded in a homogeneous half-space or stratified soil medium. The train moving underground is modeled as an infinite harmonic line load. Factors considered in the parametric studies include the soil stratum depth, damping ratio and shear modulus of the soil with or without tunnel, and the thickness of the tunnel lining. As far as ground vibration is concerned, the existence of a concrete tunnel may somewhat compensate for the loss due to excavation of the tunnel. For a soil stratum resting on a bedrock, the resonance peak and frequency of the ground vibrations caused by the underground load can be rather accurately predicted by ignoring the existence of the tunnel. Other important findings drawn from the parametric studies are given in the conclusion.