ABSTRACT
Semi-analytical prediction models for railway-induced vibration problems consider a two-dimensional track coupled with a three-dimensional soil. The semi-analytical models found in the literature assume a simplified model of force distribution for representing track/soil interactions, based on a rectangular strip load that acts on the soil surface. Because an accurate modelling of the track/soil interface forces is a key factor to obtain reliable prediction results of the vibration levels on the ground or on the surrounding buildings, this paper is intended to study the validity of considering a rectangular strip track/soil coupling load. The results associated to consider a rectangular strip track/soil coupling load are compared with the ones obtained from a two-and-a-half dimensional coupled finite element-boundary element model of the track/soil system, which is considered an accurate numerical model. For the present study, the soil is assumed as a homogeneous halfspace. Some proposals to enhance the accuracy of the rectangular strip modelling are also presented.
