A numerical method to predict the riding comfort induced by foundation construction close to a high-speed-line bridge

Abstract

This paper proposes a practical method to predict the impact of foundation construction for a new high-speed rail line on running safety and riding comfort of an existing high-speed line. The presented numerical model consists of a bridge girder/pier finite element model, a pier-bearing platform-pile foundation-soil numerical model and a train/bridge interaction model that takes into account the dynamic interactions in the train/bridge/pier/soil system. The proposed method is used in an engineering case study. The results show that the foundation construction has an obvious influence on a nearby existing high-speed-line bridge. The differential settlement of piers leads to an increase in the bridge deflection, and generally the higher the train speed, the larger the deflection. The lateral displacement of the pier has a greater influence on the ride comfort than the vertical differential settlement, and an allowance of 20 mm is suggested for lateral displacement of the pier in a ballasted high-speed line.