Dynamic Analysis of a Coupled High-Speed Train and Bridge System Subjected to Sea Wave Hydrodynamic Load

Abstract

In this study, the dynamic behavior of the 3D train-bridge system subjected to different hydrodynamic loads (TBW model) is established. By taking a continuous bridge with box girders as a case study, the dynamic responses of the bridge which is under train passing and subjected to several sea hydrodynamic loads are analyzed. Hydrodynamic forces are applied on piers according to Morison's theory and car body is modeled by a 27-DoFs dynamic system. Model validation has been performed with other research by considering vessel collision load. In continuation, the dynamic responses of the bridge and the running safety indices of the train on the bridge under several conditions are analyzed. Consequently an assessment procedure is proposed for the running safety of high-speed trains on bridges subjected to wave loads. Results of TBW's sensitive analyzes have shown the importance of sea-states conditions for train safe and comfortable running. These outputs indicates that in stormy conditions, the speed of the train crossing the bridges should be reduced and it is possible for the train to pass at low speeds in stormy conditions.

Railway Bridge Runability Safety Analysis in a Vessel Collision Event

“…The cited study highlights that, in the case of an empty freight train, the wheel is more likely to derail when the impact load is greater than 15 MN. In [23,24,26,28,29,32], the authors agree that the train speed has an important effect on the running safety in the previously mentioned events.…”

“…The authors of [25] investigated train running safety and ride comfort in the case of floating ice collisions with bridge piers; the effect of ice collisions on train dynamics was found to be significant, especially in case of the foundation stiffness of low lateral piers. Bridges built over the seabed are also subject to sea wave action; Kalajahi et al performed a dynamic analysis of a coupled high-speed train and continuous bridge with box girders, where the latter was subject to sea wave hydrodynamic loads [26].…”

“…Xia et al employed a multi-body dynamics model to represent a CRH2 high-speed train running over a continuous steel trussed-arch bridge [28] subjected to vessel collisions. A bridge which was similar to the one considered in [26] was adopted by Xia et al [23] to assess the runability of three different high-speed trains travelling over a continuous RC bridge subjected to ship collision events. Li et al [29] investigated the behavior of a CRH2 train running at low speed (from 40 km/h to 120 km/h) during vessel collisions over a massive cable-stayed bridge with a span of 250 m. Zhang et al [30] studied the train running safety of a CRH2 train when crossing a four-span navigable bridge in the case of a vessel collision, the impact force of which was computed through high-resolution non-linear FE modeling.…”