Recent Advances in Vehicle-Track-Ground Coupling Dynamics and Railway-Induced Ground Vibration

Dear Colleagues,

When train vibrations or train-induced vibrations are of interest, in many cases, single components cannot be analysed seperately. Therefore, the coupling of the subsystems is of great importance. The following interactions are topics covered in this Special Issue:

• Vehicle-track interactions (urban, intercity, high-speed, and freight trains with specific axle sequences and suspensions);
• Track–soil interactions (surface, tunnel, viaduct line or single bridge);
• Train-induced ground vibration.

The influence of the coupling/interaction on the vibration of the vehicle, track or environment will be analysed. A special focus will be put on the forces between vehicle and track and between track and soil. The effects happen in both directions, towards the vehicle or towards the track and environment:

• The annoyance of passengers or inhabitants;
• Safety and stability of the train or settlement/detoriation and damage of the track, including the fatigue of components.

The following problems are also proposed:

• Excitation mechanisms, such as irregularities (geometry and stiffness, continuous or singular, crosses and switches, transition zones), dynamic loads and static loads;
• Prediction of ground vibration;
• Mitigation measures (stiffening, elastic elements);
• Damage development and damage identification.

The manuscript should include:

• Measurements and measurement methods (on-board, weigh-in-motion, fault detection, specific energy harvesting);
• Theoretical analyses;
• Methods such as time and frequency domain, substructure, approximating (Winkler soil), coupling (Hertz contact spring) and multiscale methods;
• Numerical analyses.

It is the aim of this Special Issue to bring together mechanical and civil engineers and vehicle, track and ground vibration specialists. At least two components should be analysed in interaction; all three components in coupled dynamics would be perfect.

Dr. Lutz Auersch
Guest Editor

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