Field Measurement and 2.5D FE Analysis of Ground Vibrations Induced by High-Speed Train Moving on Embankment and Cutting

Field measurements of ground vibrations were conducted along the Paris–Brussels high-speed railway (HSR) to systematically analyze vibration characteristics generated by embankment and cutting sections. Utilizing the 2.5D finite element method (FEM), numerical models were developed for both earthworks to evaluate the influences of design parameters on ground vibration responses. Results demonstrate that train axle load dominates vibration amplitude in the near-track zone, while the superposition effect of adjacent wheelsets and bogies becomes predominant at larger distances. Vibration energy attenuates progressively with increasing distance from the track, with medium- and high-frequency components decaying more rapidly than low-frequency components. The dominant vibration frequency is determined by the fundamental train-loading frequency (f₁), which increases with train speed. Distinct attenuation patterns are identified between earthwork types: embankments exhibit a two-stage attenuation process, whereas cuttings undergo three stages, including a vibration rebound phenomenon at the slope crest. Furthermore, greater embankment height or cutting depth reduces ground vibrations, but beyond a critical threshold, further increases yield negligible benefits. A higher elastic modulus of the embankment material correlates with reduced vibrations, and steeper cutting slopes, while ensuring slope stability, contribute to additional mitigation.