Dominant frequencies of train-induced vibrations in a seasonally frozen region

• Conduct three field experiments in spring, summer and winter, respectively.
• Present the formula of the peak frequency, and verify it with the experiment data.
• Investigated the dominant frequencies of train-induced vibration response
• Influence factors are described via 1/3 octave center frequency spectrum.
• Factors such as the seasons, travel speed, train type and so on are described.

To investigate the acceleration response in frequency domain of subgrade vibrations induced by moving vehicles in a seasonally frozen region, three field experiments were carried out in the Daqing area of China in spring, summer and winter, respectively. The results show that: (1) there are several frequency bands in an acceleration frequency spectrum, within each frequency band there is a peak frequency which can be computed using the simple equations obtained in this paper; (2) acceleration response in frequency domain is influenced by train types, the train formation, travel speed and train load together; and (3) the main frequency in vertical and longitudinal directions is the largest in the freezing period, followed by unfrozen period and minimum in thawing period.