Vibrations due to a test train at variable speeds in a deep bored tunnel embedded in London clay

This paper reports on the results of in situ vibration measurements that have been performed within the frame of the CONVURT project at a site in Regent's Park on the Bakerloo line of London Underground during 35 passages of a test train at a speed between 20 and 50 km/h. Vibration measurements have been performed on the axle boxes of the test train, on the rails, on the tunnel invert and tunnel wall, and in the free field, both at the surface and at a depth of 15 m. Measurements have also been made on floors and columns of two buildings in a row of Regency houses at a distance of 70 m from the tunnel. Prior to these vibration measurements, the dynamic soil characteristics have been determined by in situ and laboratory testing. Rail and wheel roughness have been measured and the track characteristics have been determined by rail receptance and wave decay measurements. Time histories and one-third octave band RMS spectra of the measured velocities are discussed and the variation of the peak particle velocity and the frequency content as a function of the train speed and the distance to the tunnel are elaborated.