Matrix test measurements of ground-borne vibration induced by the heavy-duty trains on embankment and cutting tracks in a loess area

This paper presents a comparative analysis of ground vibration in three directions generated by a heavy-duty railway with various track sections. The vibration characteristics in the plane area were investigated by using matrix test measurements. Acceleration peak attenuation was faster within 25 m from the embankment, and the high-frequency vibration attenuates faster with increased distance. For the cutting section with multi-stage soil slope, decay rate of acceleration was relatively larger. The acceleration level of the plane region ranged to 82.2–89.1 dB by the single C80 train. Yet the acceleration level caused by the C80 trains running parallel after meeting showed a distinct increment. The increment of the cutting section was much larger compared with the embankment section, with the increment ranging from 1.2–2.5 dB. In terms of the cutting section, Y direction acceleration was dominant closer to the track. Within 10–30 m of the track, the Y direction acceleration (perpendicular to the rail) decreased rapidly and became comparable to the X direction (parallel to the rail) and Z direction. Additionally, the cutting case generated a higher level of vibration in all three directions compared to the embankment, but as the distance from track increased, the deviation between acceleration gradually decreased.