Ground-borne vibrations due to dynamic loadings from moving trains in subway tunnels

In this study, ground vibrations due to dynamic loadings from trains moving in subway tunnels were investigated using a 2.5D finite element model of an underground tunnel and surrounding soil interactions. In our model, wave propagation in the infinitely extended ground is dealt with using a simple, yet efficient gradually damped artificial boundary. Based on the assumption of invariant geometry and material distribution in the tunnel??s direction, the Fourier transform of the spatial dimension in this direction is applied to represent the waves in terms of the wave-number. Finite element discretization is employed in the cross-section perpendicular to the tunnel direction and the governing equations are solved for every discrete wave-number. The 3D ground responses are calculated from the wave-number expansion by employing the inverse Fourier transform. The accuracy of the proposed analysis method is verified by a semi-analytical solution of a rectangular load moving inside a soil stratum. A case study of subway train induced ground vibration is presented and the dependency of wave attenuation at the ground surface on the vibration frequency of the moving load is discussed.