Train-track-circular tunnel spatially coupled dynamics model and coupling effects of dynamic track-tunnel interactions

Abstract

Abstract The train-induced environmental vibration is an important issue for the rail transport. The study on tunnel vibrations plays an important role in the prediction and evaluation of environmental vibration induced by underground train. A three-dimensional (3D) time-domain train-track-tunnel-soil coupled dynamics model is proposed in this study for the underground circular tunnel commonly used in subway. In the model, the tunnel lining and surrounding grouting area are modelled as a cylindrical dual-layer thin shell supported by cylindrical viscoelastic layer which is used to describe the influences of soil. Subsequently, the partial differential equations of the shell are transformed into ordinary differential ones by using semi-analytic modelling method. Then, the model of tunnel lining and grouting area is coupled with the train-track spatially coupling dynamics model through the track-tunnel dynamic interactions, forming the 3D train-track-tunnel coupled dynamics model. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed model are verified by the field test results. Finally, the model is employed to study the influence of coupled solving of train-track subsystem and tunnel subsystem. Results show that the proposed model can achieve real-time dynamics simulation of the train-track-tunnel spatially coupled system on a desktop computer. The coupling effect between the train-track subsystem and the tunnel subsystem has an evident impact on the dynamic responses of the train, track, and tunnel subsystems.