Prediction methodology for ground vibration induced by passing trains on bridge structures

This study is a critical evaluation of the analysis method for ground vibration induced by passing trains on bridge structures. A wide variety of existing available evaluation methods and the influence factors are used for this evaluation. These primary influence factors include vibration source, ground vibration attenuation, and vibration receiver. In vibration source, a numerical model was developed to simulate the train system, train velocity, and bridge system, which is well comparable to the measurement results. For ground vibration attenuation, field measurement data are used for the back calculation of the attenuation coefficient (α) in terms of their geological conditions. The vibration receivers are also examined using a numerical model. Two prediction methods are presented for the evaluation of ground vibration induced by a train-bridge system. One is a hybrid method of numerical model, field measurement, and assessment handbook, while the other is a prediction method, which completely uses the numerical model for simulation.